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Josh Taylor vs Jose Ramirez: When is the fight, where is it and can Taylor make Scottish history?

Josh Taylor

The "Tartan Tornado" is looking to become the first undisputed champion from Scotland since the great Ken Buchanan.

Someone's '0' has got to go when the undefeated light welterweight champions Josh "Tartan Tornado" Taylor and Jose Carlos Ramirez square off on May 22nd at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada, with the undisputed championship on the line.
IBF and WBA light welterweight titlist Taylor enters the ring boasting a perfect 17-0 record and the status of heavy odds-on favourite for this showdown with WBC and WBO king Jose Ramirez, who, while possessing an unbeaten 26-0 record, comes into this contest as a live 2/1 underdog.
With the winner of this unification bout set to become the second four-divisional champion at the 140-pound limit, genuine superstardom awaits for whoever is fortunate enough to see their arm raised at the end of this exciting clash of proud unbeaten champions.

"This is the best boxing has to offer, two elite fighters in the prime of their careers colliding in a legacy-defining matchup for the undisputed championship of the world," Top Rank Chairman Bob Arum claimed in announcing the highly-anticipated bout earlier this year.

"It's a true 50-50 fight, one that the fans and both fighters demanded." Arum continued.
While the betting odds say otherwise, it's hard to disagree with the immutable Arum who, in over 50 years in the sport, has seen almost everything the fight game has to offer.

Fighting for their own piece of history

Scotland's "Tartan Tornado", Taylor, comes into this bout with plenty of confidence following his impressive first round stoppage of Thai challenger Apinun Khongsong in September last year. He could become his country's first undisputed champion since the late, great Ken Buchanan.
Taylor, 30 and just six years into his professional career, unified the IBF and WBA titles in October 2019, vesting Regis Prograis by majority decision in a terrific back-and-forth contest to win the World Series Boxing Series.

Now, in just his 18th paid contest, Taylor will fight for the opportunity to fulfil a life-long ambition of becoming an undisputed champion.

"I'm excited it's been finalized and over the line," Taylor said in a press release. "I can't wait to get in there for the biggest fight of my career. Fighting for the undisputed title is something all boxers dream about."

Of course, while a strong betting favourite to emerge victorious, Taylor faces a stiff challenge in the shape of the unbeaten 28-year old Ramirez, who also has his own share of history firmly set in his sights.

"I look forward to making history by becoming the first boxer of Mexican descent to hold all four major world title belts,"
With the bout booked in for the MGM Grand in May, Arum is confident that fans will be able to attend what could prove to be a potential fight of the year candidate.
Speaking to talkSPORT's Fight Night: Arum explained, "What the science is telling them in Vegas, in Nevada, is that as early as May 1, we can put events on in arenas at 50 per cent capacity.
"But watching the news this morning, President Biden has said by mid-May, virtually everyone in the United States will be inoculated.
"That means we will be getting towards herd immunity, and I would hope that we could be at 100 per cent capacity. Right now, we're submitting the plans for 50 per cent - it's going to be in one of the MGM properties, either the Grand Garden or Mandalay Bay"
Undeniably positive news, a fight of this magnitude deserves nothing less than a vibrant audience; however, without a travelling Tartan Army, the Scot may find himself fighting in front of a partisan Ramirez support.

Where and when?

The bout is scheduled for Saturday, May 22 and will be held at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA.

What's on the line?

In one word - everything. All of the light welterweight's four divisional titles (WBC World, WBA (Super) World, IBF World, WBO World) are up for grabs, as well as the Ring Magazine belt.

The winner will be the second undisputed four-divisional champion at this weight class after Terence Crawford.

Where can I watch it?

Taylor vs Ramirez will be broadcast live on ESPN in the United States and will also be shown live on FITE TV in the UK and Ireland.

Where's the value?

Taylor is currently a short 1/3 odds on to claim the spoils, while Ramirez is available at 2/1 to inflict a first defeat to the Scot.
Certainly, while Taylor is very much a heavy betting favourite, the 28-year-old American of Mexican descent is very much a live underdog and cannot be discounted given his unblemished fighting record, not to mention the two world titles he already possesses.
Despite being the younger of the two men, Ramirez has been fighting in the professional ranks for three years longer and, with nine more bouts on his record, boasts a little more experience than the Scot who turned pro in 2015.

Josh Taylor is looking to become the first undisputed champion since Ken Buchanan

Having gone the distance in four of his last five fights, including a tight majority decision win over experienced campaigner Viktor Potsol and Maurice Hooker, Ramirez is a tough and powerful come-forward fighter with a healthy 65% KO ratio.
Despite his underdog status, Ramirez should give Taylor one of, if not his toughest night in the ring to date. It is worth noting that Taylor did, however, defeat Postol in a more convincing style in 2018.

With both fighters entering this contest with a champions mentality, and both protecting unbeaten records, this looks like a bout that is likely to go deep into the championship rounds.
However, with a potentially superior skill set, Taylor can be expected to earn a tough and potentially thrilling decision victory against a game and dangerous opponent.

Who else is on the card?

Jose "Chon" Zepeda will take on the experienced Mexican Pedro Campa in a 10-round light welterweight contest, while exciting prospect Elvis "The Dominican Kid" Rodriguez will take a big step up in class when he faces U.S. fighter Kenneth "Bossman" Sims Jr.
Further bouts will be announced in due course.

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