Round-By-Round - Josh Taylor vs. O'Hara Davies - July 8th 2017

[Noxy]

Davies has got this one. It's too early for Josh, he's trying to be the big man already.

[Stuarty]

It seems that lot of people overrate Taylor because he caries a label of Olympians and under rate Davies because he made his name largely by trash talking. But if you look past the hype and at their actual performances it should obvious that Davies is on another level.

What performances from Davies are you referring to that suggest he is on another level? I've seen him a lot and that's not a conclusion I'd draw at all. They've both had it more or less all their own way as pros.

[crusader]

It seems that lot of people overrate Taylor because he caries a label of Olympians and under rate Davies because he made his name largely by trash talking. But if you look past the hype and at their actual performances it should obvious that Davies is on another level.

Please tell me what fights make it clear that Davies is on another level. If you believe the Matthews fight is a case of this, I'll respond by saying that Matthews had already lost 8 times by stoppage, had been stopped in his previous fight, had never campaigned at 140, and retired straight after the fight, as if he knew he didn't have much left. He was meant to flatter Davies, just as he flattered Campbell (a lightweight) and made him appear a damaging puncher...

And, I'm not sure it uniformly works that way with the trash talking. I think it could just as easily go the other way in equal numbers , with people overrating him because they're used to seeing trash talking black guys who are top fighters, and thus lump him into this 'legit' group because he follows as similar script. With no major amateur accomplishments, and his only two notable wins being the Scarpa borefest and Matthews stoppage, how highly do you think he should be rated? Do you think it's clear watching him fight that he's a top talent?

[CaptainSpacerod]

Scottish fighters generally have this tendency (apart from Burns...)

Jim Watt's a class act. Alex Arthur's a nice lad too.

[Stuarty]

Scottish fighters generally have this tendency (apart from Burns...)

Jim Watt's a class act. Alex Arthur's a nice lad too.

Most of the guys I've met or know from old gym are brand new. It's just an excuse for a cheap dig at us Scots

[CaptainSpacerod]

Most of the guys I've met or know from old gym are brand new. It's just an excuse for a cheap dig at us Scots

That Nicola Sturgeon's enough of a pudendum to give the whole country a bad name in fairness

[Tarkus]

It seems that lot of people overrate Taylor because he caries a label of Olympians and under rate Davies because he made his name largely by trash talking. But if you look past the hype and at their actual performances it should obvious that Davies is on another level.

Please tell me what fights make it clear that Davies is on another level. If you believe the Matthews fight is a case of this, I'll respond by saying that Matthews had already lost 8 times by stoppage, had been stopped in his previous fight, had never campaigned at 140, and retired straight after the fight, as if he knew he didn't have much left. He was meant to flatter Davies, just as he flattered Campbell (a lightweight) and made him appear a damaging puncher...

And, I'm not sure it uniformly works that way with the trash talking. I think it could just as easily go the other way in equal numbers , with people overrating him because they're used to seeing trash talking black guys who are top fighters, and thus lump him into this 'legit' group because he follows as similar script. With no major amateur accomplishments, and his only two notable wins being the Scarpa borefest and Matthews stoppage, how highly do you think he should be rated? Do you think it's clear watching him fight that he's a top talent?

General skillset level. Matthews and Scarpa fights are a good example. With all the understandable caveats they are still better then any of Taylors opponents. And against guys they faced Davies looks good on the eye and Taylor doesn't to me.

I think Davies can easily end up winning world title. I dont think he will be elite, he is too crude for that but speaking of Scots he will do well to achieve what Ricky Burns achieved for example.

As for trash talking. If this was American decorated amateur then yes bravado could enhance him. But for a Brit with no amateur background to trashtalk, black or white or brown it really turns natives off.

[Tarkus]

It seems that lot of people overrate Taylor because he caries a label of Olympians and under rate Davies because he made his name largely by trash talking. But if you look past the hype and at their actual performances it should obvious that Davies is on another level.

What performances from Davies are you referring to that suggest he is on another level? I've seen him a lot and that's not a conclusion I'd draw at all. They've both had it more or less all their own way as pros.

I posted the answer above mate.

[crusader]

Well, beg to differ, because watching Davies I'm not seeing someone a level above Taylor. To me Davies looks slower and more flawed technically, and I don't think he's stopped the type of opposition in the type of fashion that suggests he's a legit banger; his two notable opponents were Scarpa and Matthews, and one took him the distance without being in serious trouble, and the other was smaller, had been stopped 8 times, and was at the end of the line after a grueling career.

Conversely, his timing looks to be good, and Taylor is someone who is there to be hit (and I'll admit that Davies is probably a better puncher than anyone JT's fought). We also don't know much about their engines or heart when things get tough.

For me, a very well-matched fight.

[Andrew]

Would Josh Taylor smash a past it Derry Mathews ?

Yes

Would Taylor smash Scarpa ?

Yes I think so. Ohara didn't Go up a gear at all on that fight. From the little I have seen of Taylor I think he would have.

[Stuffs]

Heart wants Taylor. Head says I've bet against Davies too many times.

Even though he's a dick, I think he might be the real deal. Not that Taylor is bad mind you. He's fantastic. Great fight​ to look forward to.

When did you bet against Davies? He doesn't strike me as someone who has really proven the odds wrong, at all, and it's not like he's fought at that high of a level.

Is it the Matthews fight that made you think he could be the real deal?

Not literally bet against him, but I thought Keates, Matthews and Scarpa would give him a harder time than they did.

Particularly Matthews, who I thought had a little more left in the tank than he actually did.

[billy nelson]

It seems that lot of people overrate Taylor because he caries a label of Olympians and under rate Davies because he made his name largely by trash talking. But if you look past the hype and at their actual performances it should obvious that Davies is on another level.

Please tell me what fights make it clear that Davies is on another level. If you believe the Matthews fight is a case of this, I'll respond by saying that Matthews had already lost 8 times by stoppage, had been stopped in his previous fight, had never campaigned at 140, and retired straight after the fight, as if he knew he didn't have much left. He was meant to flatter Davies, just as he flattered Campbell (a lightweight) and made him appear a damaging puncher...

And, I'm not sure it uniformly works that way with the trash talking. I think it could just as easily go the other way in equal numbers , with people overrating him because they're used to seeing trash talking black guys who are top fighters, and thus lump him into this 'legit' group because he follows as similar script. With no major amateur accomplishments, and his only two notable wins being the Scarpa borefest and Matthews stoppage, how highly do you think he should be rated? Do you think it's clear watching him fight that he's a top talent?

General skillset level. Matthews and Scarpa fights are a good example. With all the understandable caveats they are still better then any of Taylors opponents. And against guys they faced Davies looks good on the eye and Taylor doesn't to me.

I think Davies can easily end up winning world title. I dont think he will be elite, he is too crude for that but speaking of Scots he will do well to achieve what Ricky Burns achieved for example.

As for trash talking. If this was American decorated amateur then yes bravado could enhance him. But for a Brit with no amateur background to trashtalk, black or white or brown it really turns natives off.

mate I'm going to tell you something if you don't think josh taylor isnt good on the eye in boxing terms then sir you simply have no clue regarding our sport.
O'hara stops journeyman but in all honesty he simply a counter puncher,now it's as plain has the nose on your face josh is so much quicker than o'hara so I find it hard to see how Davies can beat josh
Also Davies's feet are very slow, when Davies loses there's another Scot willing to fight him Jason Easton who I manage, saying that he shit himself from fighting a boxer I used to manage Lewis Ritson at lightweight

[Tarkus]

Please tell me what fights make it clear that Davies is on another level. If you believe the Matthews fight is a case of this, I'll respond by saying that Matthews had already lost 8 times by stoppage, had been stopped in his previous fight, had never campaigned at 140, and retired straight after the fight, as if he knew he didn't have much left. He was meant to flatter Davies, just as he flattered Campbell (a lightweight) and made him appear a damaging puncher...

And, I'm not sure it uniformly works that way with the trash talking. I think it could just as easily go the other way in equal numbers , with people overrating him because they're used to seeing trash talking black guys who are top fighters, and thus lump him into this 'legit' group because he follows as similar script. With no major amateur accomplishments, and his only two notable wins being the Scarpa borefest and Matthews stoppage, how highly do you think he should be rated? Do you think it's clear watching him fight that he's a top talent?

General skillset level. Matthews and Scarpa fights are a good example. With all the understandable caveats they are still better then any of Taylors opponents. And against guys they faced Davies looks good on the eye and Taylor doesn't to me.

I think Davies can easily end up winning world title. I dont think he will be elite, he is too crude for that but speaking of Scots he will do well to achieve what Ricky Burns achieved for example.

As for trash talking. If this was American decorated amateur then yes bravado could enhance him. But for a Brit with no amateur background to trashtalk, black or white or brown it really turns natives off.

mate I'm going to tell you something if you don't think josh taylor isnt good on the eye in boxing terms then sir you simply have no clue regarding our sport.

That must be it. You opened my eyes.

[PredatorHayds]

Tough fight to call. Both provide each other with a step up in class.

Impossible to pick a winner based on form and records. All about who's impressed on the eye.

I pick Taylor due to the fact I think he loooks more capable to shift through the gears in a tough fight.

[bury_lad]

Did anyone think it was interesting that Frank Smith was representing Matchroom and not Hearn? And that Davies was going out of his way to undersell the fight on the Cyclone Promotion?

[wesshaw1985]

Did anyone think it was interesting that Frank Smith was representing Matchroom and not Hearn? And that Davies was going out of his way to undersell the fight on the Cyclone Promotion?

pudenda trick, Hearns a wanker and so is Davies.
I hope Taylor gets the job done...

[Tarkus]

Did anyone think it was interesting that Frank Smith was representing Matchroom and not Hearn? And that Davies was going out of his way to undersell the fight on the Cyclone Promotion?

Yes, looks like Hearn decided to bomb Cyclone show. And McGuigan did not do himself a favor putting it on a same date as Saunders/Khurtsidze. On a positive note, I much prefer this Ohara Davies to a usual laud mouth bully.

[Stuarty]

Did anyone think it was interesting that Frank Smith was representing Matchroom and not Hearn? And that Davies was going out of his way to undersell the fight on the Cyclone Promotion?

pudenda trick, Hearns a wanker and so is Davies.
I hope Taylor gets the job done...

Hearns a fuckin weapon. Petty wanker. If Davies were to win he'd be the first in the ring giving it the big I am.

[wesshaw1985]

Did anyone think it was interesting that Frank Smith was representing Matchroom and not Hearn? And that Davies was going out of his way to undersell the fight on the Cyclone Promotion?

pudenda trick, Hearns a wanker and so is Davies.
I hope Taylor gets the job done...

Hearns a fuckin weapon. Petty wanker. If Davies were to win he'd be the first in the ring giving it the big I am.

Maybe Hearn doesn't fancy O'Hara.
Either way, Cyclone are paying Davies and Matchroom big money, Hearn should have been there.
All this will just make Taylors win much sweeter...

[Andrew]

pudenda trick, Hearns a wanker and so is Davies.
I hope Taylor gets the job done...

Hearns a fuckin weapon. Petty wanker. If Davies were to win he'd be the first in the ring giving it the big I am.

Maybe Hearn doesn't fancy O'Hara.
Either way, Cyclone are paying Davies and Matchroom big money, Hearn should have been there.
All this will just make Taylors win much sweeter...

Hearn had business in America.

Apparently the Indongo Crawford fight.

[sammy95]

https://twitter.com/OharaDavies/status/ ... 2136779776

Ohara Davies only 5lb over with a over a month to go, will this play in Taylor's hands? Surely suggests Taylor will be much bigger on the night.

[Stuarty]

https://twitter.com/OharaDavies/status/ ... 2136779776

Ohara Davies only 5lb over with a over a month to go, will this play in Taylor's hands? Surely suggests Taylor will be much bigger on the night.

Taylor looks much bigger in any case. Faster as well from what I've seen. My worry is that he gets over eager and caught up in the occasion. Flying in and getting caught. He was caught a few times against Joubert. The finish in that fight was top class but he looked a bit too keen to impress and was caught. Davies looks the patient type.

It really is a very good fight. Hopefully more prospects follow suit.

[boxingknockout]

Scottish fighters generally have this tendency (apart from Burns...)

Jim Watt's a class act. Alex Arthur's a nice lad too.

Most of the guys I've met or know from old gym are brand new. It's just an excuse for a cheap dig at us Scots

Yes I'm on the wind up a bit

I think it's maybe because the most well known Scottish fighter of recent times is Scott Harrison who seemed a right horrible bastard!

Scots can have the reputation of being a bit dour, especially around English people

[Stuarty]

Jim Watt's a class act. Alex Arthur's a nice lad too.

Most of the guys I've met or know from old gym are brand new. It's just an excuse for a cheap dig at us Scots

Yes I'm on the wind up a bit

I think it's maybe because the most well known Scottish fighter of recent times is Scott Harrison who seemed a right horrible bastard!

Scots can have the reputation of being a bit dour, especially around English people

I'm quite a jovial big cùnt most of the time

I've met Harrison a few times actually. The times I've met him he was brand new but I've also been at a couple of shows where he's been in attendance and there's an aura of trouble that surrounds him. One show in Paisley he was off his tits and mouthing off at these younger guys. Looked like he could've booted off at any second. I've heard a lot of stories of him taking liberties when he's full of it. He's not the biggest but I wouldn't like to get in his road when he's on one.

[STRATHMAN]

Most of the guys I've met or know from old gym are brand new. It's just an excuse for a cheap dig at us Scots

That Nicola Sturgeon's enough of a pudendum to give the whole country a bad name in fairness

To be fair England continually voting for Tories give the whole country a bad name. Nicola would not be so successful if that was was too stop.