Jose Ramirez, the WBC and WBO junior welterweight titlist, and Josh Taylor, the WBA and IBF titleholder, will meet on Saturday to crown the undisputed champion in the division.
Ramirez (26-0, 17 KOs), 28, of Avenal, California, last fought in August when he defended his titles with a majority decision victory against Viktor Postol — a fight that was postponed twice due to the coronavirus pandemic. And while he’s a slight underdog against Taylor, Ramirez believes this is the right time for the fight, and a big opportunity to show he’s the best fighter in the division.
“In my mind, I’m supposed to win this fight,” Ramirez said. “I don’t let the outside noise get to me. No matter what you do, or who you beat, there’s always going to be somebody else out there. At this moment, that person is Josh Taylor.
“We both wanted the fight, and I respect him for taking on the challenge. Josh and I are out to make history, and I know I will be the better man on [Saturday].”
Taylor (17-0, 13 KOs), 30, of Edinburgh, Scotland, won the World Boxing Super Series junior welterweight tournament by defeating Ryan Martin, Ivan Baranchyk and Regis Prograis and took home the Muhammad Ali Trophy. With a win against Ramirez, he can become the first four-belt undisputed champion from Scotland in the country’s history.
“Undisputed world title fights in Las Vegas are rare, special,” Taylor told ESPN’s Nick Parkinson. “I’m really lucky and privileged to be in this position, to land a fight of this magnitude. But I have worked my backside off to get to this position, I didn’t get here by luck, and I will do my hardest to make sure I make the most of the opportunity.”
Stay here for live undercard results and analysis.
Fight in progress: Javier Martinez vs. Calvin Metcalf, 6 rounds, middleweights
Still to come:
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Title fight: Jose Ramirez vs. Josh Taylor, 12 rounds, for Ramirez’s WBC and WBO titles and Taylor’s WBA and IBF titles
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Jose Zepeda vs. Hank Lundy, 10 rounds, junior welterweights
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Elvis Rodriguez vs. Kenneth Sims Jr., 8 rounds, junior welterweights
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Louie Coria vs. Jose Enrique Vivas, 8 rounds, featherweights
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Andres Cortes vs. Eduardo Garza, 8 rounds, junior lightweights
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Robeisy Ramirez vs. Ryan Lee Allen, 6 rounds, featherweights
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Raymond Muratalla vs. Jose Luis Gallegos, 8 rounds, lightweights