Josh Taylor vs. Jose Ramirez - 22 May 2021

[ThereByTheGrace]

Great boxers, and admirable men. Boxing at its best this weekend!!

Arum was even impressive today. But, he still should retire.

Well he is like only 90 he obviously loves boxing because if he didnt he wouldve left and retired with a lot of money a long time ago. Hes done more good than bad and its nice to see him still going

[KiwiRider]

Great boxers, and admirable men. Boxing at its best this weekend!!

Arum was even impressive today. But, he still should retire.

Well he is like only 90 he obviously loves boxing because if he didnt he wouldve left and retired with a lot of money a long time ago. Hes done more good than bad and its nice to see him still going

Come on man, he's only 89, same as Don King. And it's the power not the money that keeps rich old impotent guys still in the game. Its all they have left.

[mickey1975]

Taylor also has his amateur coach, who he listens to most, out there with him.

[THEBUTCH]

Taylor was typically in Ramirez 's face at the weigh in.

You can see it's something Jose shies away from, but when the 1st bell goes you know he will come out gun slinging

[mickey1975]

Taylor was typically in Ramirez 's face at the weigh in.

You can see it's something Jose shies away from, but when the 1st bell goes you know he will come out gun slinging

Seems a very fiery kid, Josh.

[ironbeard]

Taylor was typically in Ramirez 's face at the weigh in.

You can see it's something Jose shies away from, but when the 1st bell goes you know he will come out gun slinging

Correction; presser.

[girv]

It’s a brilliant fight, I’m Scottish so obviously want a Taylor win but I don’t believe the odds, I think it will be super close.

Hopefully Taylor can nick a close fight so I can go and see him fight Crawford at welter. He’d be a big underdog in that fight if it ever transpires.

[ironbeard]

I think a lot of people, especially Josh Taylor, are underestimating Ramirez. Many have claimed that Ramirez is one dimensional - an excellent pressure fighter, but little else - including Josh Taylor.

That is not accurate.

Ramirez is an underrated boxer from distance, able to adjust during the fight and set up boxers. The best example is his performance v Hooker, who is taller than his listed 5’11”, has an 80” reach, very big power, and an excellent jab.

Hooker was undefeated, owned the WBO belt, having won it in a close decision over Flanagan, and defending it by stopping the undefeated Saucedo, and out boxing Lespierre. Ramirez did NOT win that fight exclusively through aggression. The decisive blow was setup and delivered exquisitely in the middle of the ring.

Hooker has just two defeats to date, to Ramirez and Ortiz Jr., which brings us to the next claim many make, Taylor has fought the better competition. I suppose that is based on his wins over Prograis, Baranchyk, and Martin, and possibly due to his defeating Postol more decisively at a younger age.

First of all, while it is true that Ramirez has not fought Prograis, it is also true that Taylor has not fought Hooker, and Prograis has never fought Ortiz Jr.

Secondly, while Ramirez has not fought Baranchyk, Taylor has not fought Zepeda, who stopped Baranchyk in 5.

Third, Martin is certainly a legit scalp for Taylor, who Ramirez has not fought, and whose only other loss is to Easter Jr. back in February. But, Ramirez out boxed Orozco, whose only other career loss is to (guess who?) Ortiz Jr.

Finally, there is the Postol comparison. Many claim that a younger Taylor was more impressive against a younger/fresher Postol; that Ramirez was fortunate to get the decision v the more elderly version of the Ukrainian.

I have studied both fights and the circumstances related to them, and I disagree with the above assessment. Taylor fought the version of Postol who was one fight and two years removed from the most thorough ass kicking of his career, at the hands of TCraw.

Postol chose to engage with Taylor, rather than box from distance as he chose to do for the vast majority of his fight with Ramirez. Many claim that Josh forced Postol to do so. I am of the opinion that Postol planned that strategy coming into the fight, and it was more successful than the ridiculous scorecards reflected in the UD. Postol hurt Taylor more than once and out fought him in the middle of the ring in a number of firefights.

To his credit, Taylor overcame those moments and earned a clear victory.

Coming into the Ramirez fight, another two years and two victories later, Postol employed the opposite strategy, choosing to box from distance and move for essentially the entire fight. The fight was in August of last year, smack in the middle of the pandemic. Ramirez came into the fight at the end of three back to back to back training camps. Jose chased Postol around the ring for 12 rounds. He absolutely appeared to be less crisp than in previous fights. While it is true that he never hurt Postol as badly as Taylor did, it is also true that Postol was there to be hit v the Scot, and that Postol never hurt Ramirez like he did Josh. While the fight was close, and uneventful to the point of being boring, Ramirez did enough to get the close decision.

If you go farther back into Taylor’s resume he has the Davies and the Vazquez scalps, which are legit at that stage. But Ramirez sports Imam and Reed who at least match them.

There is one other person who Ramirez has grown with and trained with which may give Ramirez a bit of seasoning that cannot be matched; Ortiz Jr.

Finally, Ramirez fully comprehends what he is up against on Saturday night. I am not convinced that Taylor has that same level of comprehension.

This is an authentic 50/50 fight. My gut says the underdog on the books will find a way.

[margaret thatcher]

so is rammy your final pick? curious cuz you keep saying 50-50, head says taylor, but seem to be really gung ho about making the case for ramster

who it gonna be?

[ironbeard]

so is rammy your final pick? curious cuz you keep saying 50-50, head says taylor, but seem to be really gung ho about making the case for ramster

who it gonna be?

I am going with Ramirez. But, anything can happen in this fight, from a stoppage either way in any round to a boring chess match to an all out 12 round war to a dominating decision either way to a draw.

Ramirez must be on top of his game here, but so must Taylor. Either could come in flat. Taylor has had just one round in 19 months. Ramirez may still be rundown.

I am absolutely over the top fired up for this one. Both fighters are favorites of mine.

I am going with Ramirez stopping him late.

[margaret thatcher]

[KiwiRider]

Postol was a huge jump in levels for Taylor. It showed in the early rounds, only for Taylor to learn, adjust, and get a pretty clear victory.
And Taylor has a good team, they have brought him along hard and fast.
Prograis is by far and above the best win either have. I don't really rate Hooker.

[Twinkle Toes]

Taylor is batter at more things than Ramirez, but he does like to get involved and that could be his downfall. Ramirez works the body really well and probably hits a little harder than Taylor.

It's Taylor's to lose in my opinion, but wouldn't be surprised if he gets dragged into a war.

[ironbeard]

Postol was a huge jump in levels for Taylor. It showed in the early rounds, only for Taylor to learn, adjust, and get a pretty clear victory.
And Taylor has a good team, they have brought him along hard and fast.
Prograis is by far and above the best win either have. I don't really rate Hooker.

It was a huge win, and I was leaning Prograis, but, while he is getting busy, he really has not tested himself since that defeat. Meanwhile, Hooker stepped up and in it immediately. He lost to Ortiz Jr. but he tested the kid, seriously.

I don’t think Prograis wants any of Ortiz Jr. at the moment. Who will he step up and test himself with?

[MightyWarrior]

Old Terry Flannigan seems a strange and distant memory these days doesn’t he ?
Well no matter how you spin it, Josh has certainly fought the better fighter, and that’s the man from New Orleans; twice the Scotsman has looked early on like the big step up opponent was going to be too strong for him, and twice he adjusted and came back to win - that says a huge amount about him.

He should win on Saturday, as he holds the aces ( though crucially perhaps, not home advantage ) but the unassuming and rockhard Mexican makes me very nervous, just the type of overlooked, never say die fighter who’s gonna upset the best laid plans..

No way he stops Josh, but he might grind out a points win, if you like those odds ..

But I’m going for Josh to again find a way to win, when he finds things on the brink late on, and grabs a close decision.

[maverick23]

Just seen a video of the coin flip yesterday deciding who comes out to the ring first. Taylor was having a a proper go at some guy there (Ramirez’s manager?) and he seemed to be properly on edge/in fight mode.

[KiwiRider]

I don’t think Prograis wants any of Ortiz Jr. at the moment. Who will he step up and test himself with?

Hopefully Reggie can face off with the winner of this fight. Whoever it is, it's gonna be good

[My Name Is Earl]

Just seen a video of the coin flip yesterday deciding who comes out to the ring first. Taylor was having a a proper go at some guy there (Ramirez’s manager?) and he seemed to be properly on edge/in fight mode.

Yeah, the guy took the p!ss out of Taylor celebrating his win over the Thai on social media .

Taylor sledging Ramirez over his appearance. This is warming up nicely.

[KiwiRider]

Including this fight, Taylors last six opponents = 136-1

[MightyWarrior]

Yeh that guy is Ramirez’ trainer - he was bleating on Twitter after about how Josh is shook and losing it ...no chance, that’s just how he is

[maverick23]

Just seen a video of the coin flip yesterday deciding who comes out to the ring first. Taylor was having a a proper go at some guy there (Ramirez’s manager?) and he seemed to be properly on edge/in fight mode.

He's been giving him a few digs on Twitter so he went over and said not so brave now are ya.

Seen a few say they think Josh is a nob but I think he comes across sound. Doesn't go OTT with the trash talk like Chisora but gives them a few digs which I don't mind.

I like him too. I watched him fight live in the olympics against Robson Conceicao (as well as seeing AJ in the first round against Savon) and I didn’t think he’d be as good a pro as he’s turned out.

He strikes me someone that 95% of the time he’s chilled and relaxed but if he’s pissed off (or drunk) than he can turn into a different bloke. Nothing wrong with that though if it’s in a boxing ring.

[My Name Is Earl]

Well he did have that "orange gate" episode with the bouncers, so he has that edge no doubt.

Is this fight getting attention in Scotland? Will the political powers send him a good luck message?

He has said in the past, that if he was English or Irish he'd be viewed as "the best thing since sliced bread".

[chris123]

Including this fight, Taylors last six opponents = 136-1

And the “1” is courtesy of Terrence Crawford.

It really amazes me how undervalued Taylor is (not here, but wider). It’s painful to think the most significant non-heavyweight fight a UK fighter has had in years is buried away on Fite.TV.

[maverick23]

Including this fight, Taylors last six opponents = 136-1

And the “1” is courtesy of Terrence Crawford.

It really amazes me how undervalued Taylor is (not here, but wider). It’s painful to think the most significant non-heavyweight fight a UK fighter has had in years is buried away on Fite.TV.

It shows how important it is to have a proper U.K. promoter behind you if you want recognition over here.

All his early fights were on ch5, he was matched perfectly coming up in good fights so would have been seen by millions of people but that doesn’t translate anymore to being well known.

Barry Mcguigan matched him well but didn’t promote him too well and since then he’s been all over the place from a TV network point of view. Fighting on ch5, then YouTube, then Sky, then Box Office, then BT and now Fite doesn’t help him. He made the right call going with Bob to get this fight with Ramirez and then potentially Crawford but he should have mandated in his contract something about getting a fixed U.K. broadcast partner so they can push his fights and promote him over here.

I asked my causal mates if they were watching this fight a couple of days ago and a couple of them didn’t know who Taylor was. Yet they wanted to know when Conor Benn was next fighting and what’s happening with AJ/Fury being called off.

[Ruthless-RKO]

And the “1” is courtesy of Terrence Crawford.

It really amazes me how undervalued Taylor is (not here, but wider). It’s painful to think the most significant non-heavyweight fight a UK fighter has had in years is buried away on Fite.TV.

It shows how important it is to have a proper U.K. promoter behind you if you want recognition over here.

All his early fights were on ch5, he was matched perfectly coming up in good fights so would have been seen by millions of people but that doesn’t translate anymore to being well known.

Barry Mcguigan matched him well but didn’t promote him too well and since then he’s been all over the place from a TV network point of view. Fighting on ch5, then YouTube, then Sky, then Box Office, then BT and now Fite doesn’t help him. He made the right call going with Bob to get this fight with Ramirez and then potentially Crawford but he should have mandated in his contract something about getting a fixed U.K. broadcast partner so they can push his fights and promote him over here.

I asked my causal mates if they were watching this fight a couple of days ago and a couple of them didn’t know who Taylor was. Yet they wanted to know when Conor Benn was next fighting and what’s happening with AJ/Fury being called off.

Exactly the same as me. They don't know boxing exists outside of Sky and Matchroom.

Even Kugan recently tweeted, reminding or telling UK fans not to miss this bout