Jose Ramirez vs. Josh Taylor - May 22, 2021

[Ruthless-RKO]

BLH Predictions

Scott Christ (34-9-2)

This is a matchup that should bring the best out of both, and while Ramirez has struggled against an opponent Taylor pretty solidly beat, Viktor Postol doesn’t fight like Taylor or Ramirez. Postol’s strategy and skills worked better against Ramirez than they did Postol, but it’s not like Taylor has been a flawless force of nature in every fight, either. Regis Prograis pushed him very hard, and to be fair Jose Zepeda gave Ramirez a good run, too.

I think it’s generally accepted or believed that Taylor is a nice but not overwhelming favorite in this matchup, and that he deserves coming in to be considered the No. 1 guy at 140 if you’re doing rankings and whatnot. But I think Ramirez is really dangerous here, and I have some worry that Taylor may have gotten ahead of himself in some ways. There’s an arrogance to Taylor that Ramirez simply doesn’t have; I’m not saying that’s necessarily a bad thing, but if Taylor has started to believe his own hype, Ramirez is the type of guy who can reality check him.

That said, even if that’s the case, Taylor might adjust in-fight if things go poorly early, and still come out on top. This isn’t 50/50 to me, I think it’s about 60/40 Taylor, but I’m going with Jose Ramirez. I think we’re going to see the very best of him. Taylor is a terrific fighter, but generally speaking, even the best fighters have nights where it gets away from them. Ramirez UD-12

Wil Esco (35-8-2)

This is no time for me to hop off the Josh Taylor hype train but I will admit that I do think this is a very good matchup that won’t be a blow out by any means. Jose Ramirez is a tough, rugged fighter who likes to work on the inside but the difference in this particular matchup is versatility — with Josh Taylor just having more than Ramirez. I think Taylor is a good inside fighter who can largely match Ramirez’s efforts at close range but I think he’s also a much better outside fighter which is going to provide Taylor with more scoring opportunities.

Taylor has a bit of a nasty streak in him which is evident as he can be drawn into exchanges (and his defense isn’t the best which often makes for good action sequences), but I still think he’ll be able to bite down enough to go even with Ramirez up close and edge him at range. Taylor will likely take some bumps and bruises along the way but unless Ramirez scores a stoppage I think Taylor should be able to win this fight on points, which is exactly where I’m going with it. Taylor MD-12

Patrick L. Stumberg (35-8-2)

Undisputed clashes don’t get much better than this; two belts per side, each acquired against top-flight competition and held by profoundly entertaining finishers. Just because it’s well-matched and competitive doesn’t necessarily mean the outcome’s in doubt, though, and Taylor looks like he’s got this one. His punches seem markedly faster and tighter than Ramirez’s, and seeing as he’s traded close-range leather with the likes of Ivan Baranchyk and Regis Prograis without flinching, I don’t see Ramirez’s pressure or power throwing “The Tartan Tornado” off his game.

Anything can happen when there’s this much leather getting thrown around, of course, but Taylor’s just a little too sharp and battle-tested to succumb to Ramirez’s onslaught. After 12 rounds of winning cleanly at range and edging out the inevitable deluge of phone-booth slugfests, Josh Taylor will be 2021’s first four-belt champion. Taylor UD-12

And the staff winner is...

Josh Taylor (2-1)!

[ironbeard]

Ramirez’ ability to adjust and set traps leads to a shocking late stoppage.

That’s my gut growling.

[Ruthless-RKO]

[margaret thatcher]

bird on the left there looks sad, like she's not sure this is what she really wants to do with her life

[BroughtonRulesRefuge]

- Bird on the left has been a Top Rank mainstay for 10 years, featured in articles, trains like an athlete, and can have just about anything she wants with a flick of her pinky, but most certainly not dumplings who know not of what they speak.

Surprising how skinny these guys are, certainly not the typical stereotype of top fighters, but I guess it's their height. Ring interviewed Viktor Postol who pretty much rated them even, but Josh has more gears and looks whereas Jose has relentless power. Key maybe in Postol as a light swatter noticed Josh seemed bothered by his punches, and Jose hits considerably harder, so based on that little tidbit, I'm picking Jose. What if MTK don't want him to win?

[margaret thatcher]

taylor took prograis's shots well enough, and he hits considerably harder than postol too. dont think his durability will be an issue

taylor is either taller than listed, or jose been telling porkies about his height

[Ruthless-RKO]

Stats and Stakes

Josh Taylor

Age: 30
Titles: IBF Jr. Welterweight (2019-Present, 2 Defenses); Ring Magazine/WBA Super Lightweight (2019-Present, 1 Defense)
Previous Titles: None
Height: 5’10
Weight: 139 ½ lbs.
Stance: Southpaw
Hails from: Haddington, Scotland
Record: 17-0, 13 KO
Press Rankings: #1 (TBRB, ESPN, Boxing News), #3 (BoxRec)
Record in Major Title Fights: 3-0, 1 KO
Last Five Opponents: 110-1 (.990)

Notable Outcomes, TBRB and/or Ring Rated Foes: Viktor Postol UD12; Ivan Baranchyk UD12; Regis Prograis MD12

Additional Current/Former Titlists Faced: Miguel Vazquez KO9

vs.

Jose Ramirez

Age: 28
Titles: WBC Super Lightweight (2018-Present, 4 Defenses); WBO Jr. Welterweight (2019-Present, 1 Defense)
Previous Titles: None
Height: 5’10
Weight: 139 ¾ lbs.
Stance: Orthodox
Hails from: Avenal, California
Record: 26-0, 17 KO
Press Rankings: #1 (Ring), #2 (TBRB, ESPN, BoxRec), #3 (Boxing News)
Record in Major Title Fights: 5-0, 1 KO
Last Five Opponents: 135-4-3 (.961)

Notable Outcomes, TBRB and/or Ring Rated Foes: Antonio Orozco UD12; Maurice Hooker TKO6; Viktor Postol MD12


Additional Current/Former Titlists Faced: None

[Cent0089]

Will there be a fans at this event ?

[Ruthless-RKO]

Will there be a fans at this event ?

1,000 fans

[Counter-puncher]

- Bird on the left has been a Top Rank mainstay for 10 years, featured in articles, trains like an athlete, and can have just about anything she wants with a flick of her pinky, but most certainly not dumplings who know not of what they speak.

She can 'have just about anything she wants with a flick of her pinky', but most certainly not dumplings who know not of what they speak'?

Why can't she have dumplings as well, then? given the vast array of things in the world that she can command with a flick of her pinky, I'd have thought she could have dumplings really easily, too.

Does she have some sort of allergy to dumplings? Did she have a negative traumatic past experience with dumplings, or something?

I'm intrigued as to why this girl, who could seemingly have it all, falls tragically short with dumplings.

There's a big dumpling-shaped hole in her life that she needs to fill, bro.

Help a sista out here, yo .

What can we do for her, that she might have dumplings in her life, too? Boxrec needs to step up for this stellar, pinky-waving-world-dominating athlete-training yet tragically dumpling-deficient Bird.

[Onetimeonly]

Taylor handily, Ramirez is gutsy and will give a game effort but 9-3 or late tko.

[Counter-puncher]

Taylor handily, Ramirez is gutsy and will give a game effort but 9-3 or late tko.

[giacomino]

Taylor handily, Ramirez is gutsy and will give a game effort but 9-3 or late tko.

Same. UD12. Taylor is a class above. Ramírez has had a tough time against much lesser opponents

[Cent0089]

Will there be a fans at this event ?

1,000 fans

Well, at least something

[Cent0089]

BTW, Arum totally failed with promotion of this fight. You have 4 belts on the line, two undefeated fighters with very entertaining styles. And nobody outside of boxing community cares. SAD

[Ruthless-RKO]

BTW, Arum totally failed with promotion of this fight. You have 4 belts on the line, two undefeated fighters with very entertaining styles. And nobody outside of boxing community cares. SAD

Even Crawford vs. Postol was promoted in the UK, as it was picked up by NoxBation.