Josh Taylor vs. Apinun Khongsong - 26 September 2020

[Stuarty]

Doubt we will see any fights till after the summer at the very least. By the time they sort out pay, venues, undercards etc and then the fighters will want a solid camp. Pretty depressing but hey ho!

[Ruthless-RKO]

Press Release

WBA/IBF junior welterweight world champion Josh Taylor will make his return to the ring from BT Sport Studio in London against IBF No 1 contender Apinun Khongsong on Saturday, Sept. 26, live on ESPN+ in the United States and BT Sport in the UK. This will be Taylor’s first fight since signing with MTK Global and Top Rank earlier this year.

Promoted by allegedly’s Queensberry Promotions and Top Rank, “The Tartan Tornado” will make his first appearance in the ring since his triumph in the World Boxing Super Series in London, where he defeated the previously unbeaten Regis Prograis to add the American's WBA title to his own IBF version, while also claiming the WBSS trophy and the coveted Ring Magazine belt.

Taylor (16-0, 12 KOs) became world champion during the series when he defeated the then-unbeaten Ivan Baranchyk via unanimous decision in Glasgow, Scotland.

Khongsong (16-0, 13 KOs), from Bangkok, worked his way into mandatory position by winning the IBF Pan Pacific and IBF Asia titles. He has knocked out his last six foes, including former world title challenger Akihiro Kondo last February.

Taylor said, "I'm excited to be back in the ring after a long layoff. The coronavirus had put everything on hold for a few months, so it's been nice to be in the gym again and back to some normality.

"I didn't want a warm-up fight, so getting straight back in there against my mandatory challenger is great, as it's kept me fully focused. I want big fights in my career, so this is an important fight with my belts on the line.

"Training has been going well and I'm feeling fit and strong. I've watched a fair bit of my opponent and I've seen his strengths and weaknesses, and I'm very confident going into this fight. I can't wait."

“Josh Taylor is on a collision course to a fight for the undisputed title, but he must first get past a very tough Thai fighter in Khongsong,” said Top Rank chairman Bob Arum. “We are delighted that Josh’s talents will be shown live to ESPN+ and BT Sport viewers, and I expect a spectacular performance come Sept. 26.”

Jamie Conlan, VP of MTK Global, Taylor’s management company, said, “I am delighted to see the best fighter in the 140-pound division back in action. Josh has used the pandemic to his own advantage, using the layoff to spend more time with his new coach, Ben Davison, and building a relationship together.

“Khongsong provides a real tough test as he’s the mandatory for a reason, undefeated and a big puncher. Josh really needs to be on his game to keep the big fight with Jose Ramirez in the pipeline.”

[GreenLightning]

Have heard him on a few pod cast slike James english.seems a top lad. Deffo cheated that fight.funny I was in Dundee that night. Watching in a pub cheering him on. One of those the Olympic boys had to win fights

James English podcasts are pretty decent. Some good guests

He was supposed to have Harrison on but nothing yet. That would be good to see.

That James English is a twat, a failed reality tv star, and gave Tommy Robinson a platform.

He had Johnny Adair on spouting his suite about 'Taking the right to the IRA' lol. His men killed over 40 people and not one of them was an IRA member (Johnny has never killed anyone himself mind you)his biggest hit was on fellow UDA Brigadier John Gregg during a drug feud which promptly got him ran out of the country. Aside from the sectarian atrocities one of Adairs boys best an army cook to death with a brick after mistaking him for a Catholic, and another one of his protege stabbed his pregnant girlfriend 30 times and impaled her to the floor. A great bunch of lads all around

[GreenLightning]

Delete

[Ruthless-RKO]

Queensberry Press Release

UNIFIED WORLD SUPER lightweight champion Josh Taylor will make his return to the ring for his mandatory defence of his IBF title against the unbeaten Thai Apinun Khongsong on Saturday September 26, live on BT Sport and ESPN, and his first fight since singing with MTK Global earlier this year.

Promoted by Frank W for Queensberry Promotions and Bob Arum for Top Rank, The Tartan Tornado will make his first appearance in the ring since his triumph in the World Boxing Super Series in London, where he defeated the previously unbeaten Regis Prograis to add the American’s WBA title to his own IBF version, while also claiming the WBSS trophy and the coveted Ring Magazine belt.

Taylor, now 16-0 (12 KOs), became world champion during the series when he defeated the then unbeaten Ivan Baranchyk via unanimous decision in Glasgow.

Khongsong (16-0, 13 KOs), from Bangkok, worked his way into mandatory position by winning the IBF Pan Pacific and IBF Asia titles. He has knocked out his last six foes, including former world title challenger Akihiro Kondo last February.

Frank W said: “Josh is a world class operator and I am delighted that we are playing host to what is an important mandatory defence.

“Josh is doubtless set for many big nights over in the States but he has got business to attend to here first and we are backing him to win, not least because a huge fight with our own Jack Catterall is there to be made a little further down the line.

“We have successfully played our part in bringing boxing back for the fans on TV and I said all along that we would be upping the levels as we go along and that is what we are doing here. I am thrilled we have secured Josh to perform on the BT Sport platform.”

Bob Arum said: “Josh Taylor is on a collision course to a fight for the undisputed title, but he must first get past a very tough Thai fighter in Khongsong,”

“We are delighted that Josh’s talents will be shown live to ESPN+ and BT Sport viewers, and I expect a spectacular performance come Sept. 26.”

Jamie Conlan, Vice President of MTK Global, Taylor’s management company said: “Delighted to see the best fighter in the 140 pound division back in action, Josh has used the pandemic to his own advantage using the layoff to spend more time with his new coach Ben Davison and building a relationship together.

“Khongsong provides a real tough test as he’s the mandatory for a reason, undefeated and a big puncher, Josh really needs to be on his game to keep the big fight with Jose Ramirez in the pipeline.”

Undercard details will follow in due course.

[margaret thatcher]

So this dude is like a giant in Thailand huh

[Ruthless-RKO]

Press Release | Charlie Edwards Back on Taylor vs. Khongsong Card

JOSH TAYLOR’S World Super-Lightweight title unification clash against Apinun Khongsong has an undercard in place featuring former WBC World Flyweight champion Charlie Edwards.

Title contests featuring Taylor’s fellow Scot Willy Hutchinson and Irishman Davey Oliver Joyce will also take place on Saturday September 26.

IBF and WBA champion Taylor (16-0, 12KOs) had been due to meet Thai Khongsong (16-0, 13KOs), his IBF mandatory challenger in May, but the COVID-19 pandemic forced a delay to his contest against the heavy handed challenger.

The Edinburgh star heads another talent stacked card promoted by allegedly for Queensberry Promotions and Bob Arum for Top Rank, with the return of Edwards a big attraction.

Edwards (15-1, 6 KOs) moves up to bantamweight after relinquishing his world crown and faces Wolverhampton’s Kyle Williams (11-2, 3 KOs) in a non-title ten rounder.

It will be his first fight since a no-contest against Julio Cesar Martinez a year ago and his debut under Hall Of Fame promoter Warren who he joined recently.

The Croydon man said: “I’m looking forward to getting back in the ring. It feels like it’s been a long time coming.

“I have had 12 months out, but I have developed more than I did even when I was a world champion.

“My life away from boxing could not be any better. I am settled in a new home, I have got engaged and in January I will become a Dad.

“I have never been in such a good place mentally, physically and emotionally.

“Obviously I am not world class yet at Bantamweight and that might take time, but Kyle is a very decent opponent after so long out.

“I’m looking forward to putting on a show against a great fighter. This fight is a fantastic domestic clash.

“It would be great to have fans there, but I’ve had similar experiences as an amateur. I once boxed in a 30,000 capacity arena in Azerbaijan with 20 people there at a World Championship qualifier.”

Fast emerging Super-Middleweight Hutchinson (11-0, 7 KOS) will challenge for his first professional title with the vacant IBF European crown on the line, should he come through his bout tomorrow night on the undercard of Daniel Dubois vs Ricardo Snijders.

There will be a third title at stake when Joyce (12-1, 9KOs) makes the first defence of his WBO European Super-Bantamweight crown against Spain’s Ionut Baluta (13-2, 2KOs) over ten rounds.

Mullingar’s Joyce won the title in February when he stopped former IBF World Bantamweight champion Lee Haskins in five rounds.

Warren said: “Josh’s fight is a high end world title battle, and yet again we have delivered with brilliant supporting fights.

“I was very excited to sign Charlie who is a fighter I have always rated and enjoyed watching even when he wasn’t on out cards.

“I promised him that he would get the chance to become a two-weight world champion and this is the start of the journey for him. He is coming back at Bantamweight, but he could also do Super-Flyweight if the opportunity came.

“He has mixed with the best in the world and that is where Willy Hutchinson is heading. I have real faith that he will go all the way at Super-Middleweight and become part of Britain’s rich history in the division.

“Everyone at my office has been working hard and I’m delighted with what we’ve delivered for fans on these behind closed doors shows.”

There will also be a four round Super-Welterweight match between York’s George Davey (2-0) and Blackpool veteran Jeff Thomas (12-7-3, 1 KO). Northampton Super-Lightweight Ethan James (3-0) is also in action.

[mickey1975]

I’m surprised Jeff is back and fighting one of my pals. Not a bad match for experience for George.

[Ruthless-RKO]

I’m surprised Jeff is back and fighting one of my pals. Not a bad match for experience for George.

How old is Jeff?

[Boxing Prospect]

For those who haven't seen much of the Thai, who also fights as Downua Ruawaiking, a fair few of his fights can be seen here:

https://www.asianboxing.info/videos/cat ... ruawaiking

[Lenny Cravats]

For those who haven't seen much of the Thai, who also fights as Downua Ruawaiking, a fair few of his fights can be seen here:

https://www.asianboxing.info/videos/cat ... ruawaiking

Nice one, I'm always weary of these relatively unknown Thai lads - I'll give the link a click and a watch.

It's a shame Scott Mallon and Oliver Fennel don't post here anymore.

I've just checked what Scott Mallon is up to, that crazy fvcker is walking North to South across Thailand.

[Ruthless-RKO]

fight preview and prediction

Main Event

Josh Taylor vs Apinun Khongsong

‘The Tartan Tornado’ defends his world titles to his IBF mandatory challenger ‘Downua Ruawaiking’.

24 from Thailand, Apinun Khongsong began his journey to a world title shot when he won the IBF Pan Pacific super-lightweight title within 92 seconds in February 2017 in just his seventh professional contest. Not only was it his first time fighting for a title but also his first time going up against a winning fighter.

Another three successful defences later, coupled with the addition of the IBF Asia super-lightweight strap, Khongsong had earned the number one spot with the International Boxing Federation and won the mandatory position to challenge the world champion Josh Taylor.

Khongsong is tall and rangy, with a sharp jab and stand up tall style. He possesses power and has been known to knock opponents out cold with a single punch.

In his second to last fight, he faced Japanese lightweight champion Akihiro Kondon (32-9-1, 18KOs) and was drawing on the cards until he produced a stunning uppercut that ended the fight almost instantly in round five. The round preceding that saw Khongsong’s head snapped back regularly by the former national champion, who once took Sergey Lipinets (16-1, 12KOs) the 12-round distance when challenging, unsuccessfully, for the IBF World super-lightweight title. From Kondo’s nine defeats, Khongsong was the only one to inflict a stoppage.

Stats

As their records are almost completely identical, with the challenger actually having an extra KO on his 16-0 record than the champion – 13 to Taylor’s 12 – it’s worth delving into the shared stats a little deeper.

Both boxers stand at 5ft 10” so have a very similar reach and stature. Of their 16 pro contests to date, Khongsong’s opponents’ records equal to 182-147-19, whereas Taylor’s is far more impressive at 283-68-14.

13 of Taylor’s foes were fighters with winning records, Khongsong has fought just eight, which is only half compared to the Scot’s 81% stat. On top of that, Taylor has taken on and defeated four unbeaten prospects – Ohara Davies (15-0); Ryan Martin (22-0); Ivan Baranchyk (19-0); Regis Prograis (24-0) – but the Thai fighter has never faced anyone unbeaten ever.

The Prestonpans puncher has only completed 90 rounds of a scheduled 152 (59%); the Bangkok boxer has served just 62 from 138 (45%).

Both boast three first rounds and three second round stoppages, but Khongsong has KO’d three in the third compared to Taylor’s one. 11 of Khongsong’s fights finished before the midway mark, two more than Taylor’s number of nine.

The above stats favour the challenger, but that’s due to the level of competition he has faced. Taylor has an incredible record of 4-0 against former or current world champions, whereas Khongsong can only lay claim to defeating a world title contender.

Prediction

Taylor is the world’s number one 140lbs fighter, who has seen off all competition. He is proven at the very top, but Khongsong isn’t proven yet and doesn’t have any names on his resume that could command respect, with the exception of the clinical KO over world title contender Kondo, but that doesn’t measure up to defeating two unbeaten world champions in a row.

Taylor likes to fight in close quarters and at mid-range, where his blistering hand speed, sensational reaction, exceptional awareness and high work rate fatigues his opponents and breaks them down. It would be very interesting to know just what percentage of Taylor’s attacks are body shots, which he whips in relentlessly with spite. Barely anything comes back his way, his rivals struggle to land on him at all and even when they do, it’s absorbed on the gloves.

Khongsong will likely aim to box on the outside and use his range to full effect, but someone of Taylor’s quality will fight the fight the way he wants, dictating the pace and range.

I envisage Taylor taking a few rounds to get to his IBF mandatory challenger before making his mark, so I’m not expecting anyone to be blasted away early. Khongsong will likely start very brightly on the backfoot and utilise his jab and one-twos to try to keep Taylor at bay. This is the biggest fight of his life, so he will come in fit and sharp and eager to capitalise on his chance. Therefore, I predict he will be competitive and lively for the first three or four rounds or more.

This will only work for so long as Taylor begins to close the distance, pick him off and up the pressure. My prediction is that Taylor will gradually break Khongsong down, find more and more openings and force a stoppage from past round six. It’s difficult to put a number on it because Khonsong’s chin has never been tested, so you have to go by Taylor’s track record. Only three from nine have made it to the championship rounds with Taylor and they were current or ex world champions. Therefore, my prediction is that Khongsong won’t reach round 10.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Undercard Information

Former flyweight world champion Charlie Edwards will test out the bantamweight waters in a 10-rounder against Kyle Williams on Saturday, Sept. 26 as the co-feature to WBA/IBF junior welterweight world champion Josh Taylor’s title defense against Apinun Khongsong in London. Taylor-Khongsong and Edwards-Williams will stream live and exclusively on ESPN+ beginning at 4 p.m. ET/1 p.m. PT, with undercard bouts at 2:30 p.m. ET/11:30 a.m. PT.

Edwards (15-1, 1 NC, 6 KOs), from the London borough of Croydon, won the WBC flyweight world title in December 2018 with a one-sided decision over Cristofer Rosales, then defended it three months later with a shutout decision over Angel Moreno. He nearly lost his world title via knockout to Julio Cesar Martinez last August on the Vasiliy Lomachenko-Luke Campbell undercard, but the bout was ruled a no contest after Martinez hit Edwards while he was on the canvas. Williams (11-2, 3 KOs) is coming off a split decision defeat last October against an over-the-weight Ionut Baluta for the vacant WBO European bantamweight title.

In undercard action on ESPN+:

Former Irish amateur superstar and 2016 Olympian Davey Oliver Joyce (12-1, 9 KOs) will make the first defense of his WBO European junior featherweight title against Baluta (13-2, 2 KOs) in a 10-rounder. Joyce moved down to junior featherweight following his shocking knockout loss to Leigh Wood last October in a bid for the WBO European featherweight title. In March, Baluta authored one of 2020’s biggest upsets, stunning former junior featherweight world champion TJ Doheny via eight-round unanimous decision.

Top prospect Willy Hutchinson (12-0, 8 KOs), who notched a first-round KO last month, will face an opponent to be named in a 10-round super middleweight fight.

Junior middleweight upstart George Davey (2-0) will see action in a four-round bout. The Queensberry Promotions prospect won a pair of Haringey Box Cup titles as an amateur.

[Fray Bentos]

I have a feeling of Frank Cedeno about this fight...

[margaret thatcher]

The Thai is pissed pants, nowhere near Josh's level

[MightyWarrior]

Well that’s good to hear you say, because fray Bentos mention of the dreaded name Frank Cedeno sends shivers. As does Roland Navarette... two very obscure fighters from the far East brought over to take on UK world champions, given zero chance, and both scored big punching shock upsets.

The Thai looks a big unit on those vids, not sure who he was up against, but looks like Josh don’t wanna be too confident and walk onto anything, as seems like he packs a wallop ..and those Far Eastern boys are used to fighting for their lives ..no big crowd behind him won’t help either .

[maverick23]

Really underwhelming undercard.

[Cholo_cws]

The Thai is pissed pants, nowhere near Josh's level

Agreed. Boxrec's ratings aren't the be all and end all but the guy's ranked #94. The bout's of a non-title fight standard. Boxing News will probably still give it three stars though.

[steve689]

You never truly know but first glance appears to suggest that this Thai lad is absolute aids. Taylor would really need to have his eye off the ball to screw this one up.

[handsofstone]

Looking through Khongsong's resume its hard to see how he became mandatory but not rare this crap, still he's unbeaten and looks a banger, he did stop Kondo who went the distance in a world title fight with Lipinets but that's all hes fought, as long as Taylor isn't complacent and overlooking him he should deal with him easy enough but who knows how good Khongsong actually is, these Thais are tough if nothing else

Taylor's my man though I expect him to show Khongsong levels

[Cutman Scabbers]

Does Rian Munton still train Khongsong?

[Coco]

Are the McGuigans taking Taylor to court?

[Boxing Prospect]

Looking through Khongsong's resume its hard to see how he became mandatory but not rare this crap, still he's unbeaten and looks a banger, he did stop Kondo who went the distance in a world title fight with Lipinets but that's all hes fought, as long as Taylor isn't complacent and overlooking him he should deal with him easy enough but who knows how good Khongsong actually is, these Thais are tough if nothing else

Taylor's my man though I expect him to show Khongsong levels

Win over Kondo was a final eliminator. Kondo was expected to win and get a second shot, following his valiant loss to Lipinets. If you follow the IBF closely you'll notice they recycle fighters a for mandatories. Sadly for Kondo Downua/Apinun, ripped up the plans with his brutal KO of the Japanese tough guy.

[mickey1975]

I don’t think George Davey. 2-0 v Jeff Thomas is bad Geoff has been out but hung around the unlicensed scene plus he’s a PT. vast experience for Jeff. George had his first am bout a few years ago and was brought up in Lanzaratoe where there’s no boxing!

[Ruthless-RKO]

Josh Taylor unfazed by lack of crowd for title fight despite allegedly concerns

Josh Taylor has been warned by promoter allegedly at the potential danger of defending his world titles without fans on Saturday.

Scotland's WBA-IBF world super lightweight champion is due to defend his belts against Apinun Khongsong at a crowd-less York Hall in East London, the fight will air on ESPN+.

Fans have not attended professional boxing events since March, due to government restrictions in the United Kingdom to stop the spread of coronavirus.

Promoter allegedly, who is staging Saturday's event, says the lack of a partisan crowd could benefit Khongsong (16-0, 13 KOs), 24, who has not fought outside his native Thailand or Japan but is the IBF mandatory challenger after recording stoppage victories in his past six fights.

"The fight between Josh and Khongsong is not going to be easy for Josh, it's a tough one," Warren told ESPN.

"What you see at these [behind-closed-doors] shows is there's no away fighter, and that makes a difference to the fight in the red corner. You are getting more out of the away fighters. You don't get fans booing them, or getting behind the home fighter."

But Taylor (16-0, 12 KOs), 29, from Edinburgh, says boxing behind closed doors will not be a problem for him in making a successful second defence of the IBF belt, and first of the WBA title, after points victories over Ivan Baranchyk and Regis Prograis last year.

"It was a straight forward decision whether to box now or wait until crowds are back," Taylor told ESPN.

"Ideally it would be good to get crowds in but I've got bundles of experience from my amateur days when no one was there in the venue, so it shouldn't make any difference for me. We have been assimilating the lack of atmosphere when I have been training at the gym, so no music or noise."

Taylor has not fought since October 2019, but says the delay to his career has allowed him to adapt to new trainer Ben Davison, who previously worked with WBC world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury.

"I've been training with Ben Davison near Harlow in Essex [England]," the Scottish fighter said.

"This delayed period because of coronavirus has allowed us to settle in nicely, get to know how each other works. Nowhere was open during lockdown, so we went over to Spain for five weeks, we had a gym we could work at and spent some key time getting to know each other, and we're happy with how it's going.

"There's been myself and [WBO world super-middleweight champion] Billy Joe Saunders and a couple of prospects. Billy was too big for me to spar, and he's a completely different style to the guy I'm facing anyway."

Taylor hopes victory sets up a huge clash with Jose Ramirez (26-0, 17 KOs), 28, for all four world super lightweight titles next year.

Both are promoted by Top Rank with WBC-WBO king Ramirez (26-0, 17 KOs), who successfully outpointed Viktor Postol last month, also keen.

"Khongsong has a high knockout ratio, he's as tall as myself, and punches through the target with quick hands so I'm expecting a tough 12 rounds, but I'm looking to go out and put on a dominant performance, I want to show I'm No.1 in the division," Taylor said.

However, the WBO has informed Ramirez he must make a mandatory defence against Taylor's British rival Jack Catterall (25-0, 13 KOs) in his next fight.

Warren added: "Taylor-Ramirez is a big fight but Jack Catterall is the mandatory challenger for the WBO and we have to make sure he gets it, so we have to wait to see what happens. Jack was guaranteed a shot before and he wants his shot. He's a young man and he wants to fight for the world title, it's going to be his choice."