Josh Taylor Defeats Jose Ramirez – Full Fight Report & Scorecard

JOSH TAYLOR vs. JOSE RAMIREZ

 Theater of the Virgin Hotels in Las Vegas 22/5/21

(WBC, WBA, IBF & WBO Super Lightweight Titles)

by Kris Anthony

Josh Taylor made history as he defeated Jose Ramirez to become the undisputed super-lightweight champion.

He was crowned the undisputed super lightweight world champion last night in a dogged battle that kept up to all the high expectations beforehand. Jose Ramirez was sent to the ground twice which made a difference in the direction of the fight as well as the end result with the scoring.

Tensions were high in the run-up to the unification fight for supremacy in the super lightweight division, which took place last night in the Theater of the Virgin Hotels in Las Vegas. The encounter between the two undefeated world champions promised a world-class match on equal terms and as the fight unfolded, this was proven over the twelve hard fought rounds. Josh Taylor (18-0, 13 KOs) and Jose Ramirez (26-1, 17 KOs) beforehand traded verbal duels and a ‘scuffle’ in the hotel hallway during fight week. In the ring, both boxers gave their all and did not back-off in the the expected class bout. After twelve hard fought rounds, the judges unanimously scored Josh Taylor as the winner.

Ramirez started fast and the different tactics became clear right from the start. WBC and WBO champion Ramirez fought from a compact stance and initially looked the stronger fighter. He tried to exert himself on Taylor in order to fire combinations whilst Taylor worked a lot with the lead right hand and took aim at the body of his opponent early on in the fight. Taylor was able to control the distance, standing tall and fighting his fight well in the first two rounds. 28-year-old Ramirez increased the pressure from the third round which developed into an intense battle with both boxers having their moments. Taylor, trained by Ben Davison, was particularly good at long distance. In close range, Ramirez was able to counter with powerful combinations and seemed to be bossing the fight up to that point.

In the sixth round, the bout took a dramatic turn. Ten seconds into the round, Taylor let his hands go and connected with Ramirez’s chin that sent him to the canvas with a left cross. Ramirez initially recovered well, but made another mistake in his concentration in the next round. Following a clinch, he neglected his guard and was punished by Taylor with a severe left uppercut which put him on the canvas again, this time harder. Kenny Bayless administered the count but this time, Ramirez didn’t seem the same and was hurt.

It was not until the ninth round that Robert Garcia’s protégé shook off the effects of the second knockdown, but was finally back into the fight. The “Tartan Tornado” acted very controlled with his boxing and by this point, and with the two knockdowns in his favour, he was able to bring his advantages in speed again and again, with repeated heavy punches in a controlled and non desperate manor.

In the last two rounds, Ramirez once again revealed his great fighting spirit as he pressed, realising that he may be behind on the scorecards. Taylor checked the time of the last rounds as if to cruise to the end with his lead in place. This could of been costly as it was no forgone conclusion that he was ahead, and especially as the ‘away’ fighter.

After twelve hard fought and pleasing rounds, the judges’ scores were read out. They unanimously scored the bout 114-112 x3, all for Taylor, who can now call himself the undisputed super lightweight world champion after just 18 professional bouts.

Afterwards, both boxers showed class and put aside the previous provocations that fuelled the pre-fight tension. An overjoyed Taylor protested his respect for Ramirez in the post-fight interview and stated that the incidents last week were solely for the purposes of mental games that are common in boxing.

What next for Taylor? After an absorbing fight and torturous training, a good rest I’m sure will be taken by the Scot. Undisputed super lightweight champion of the world….Ken Buchanan will be pleased.

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