WBA and IBF junior welterweight champion Josh ‘The Tartan Tornado’ Taylor 17-0 (13) has received some heavy backing ahead of his unification bout against Jose Carlos Ramirez 26-0 (17) at the Virgin Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday night.
Former two-weight world champion Carl Frampton believes Taylor can win in what could be the fight of the year, while former interim world champion Alex Arthur says the 30-year-old Scotsman could have an easy night of it.
“Very few British fighters have had the chance to become a genuine superstar of the ring but that’s the opportunity for Josh Taylor this Saturday night in Las Vegas,” Frampton wrote in his column for the Belfast Telegraph.
“In only his 18th fight, Taylor can become the holder of all four world light-welterweight title belts with a victory over Jose Ramirez. Taylor brings the IBF and WBA belts and Ramirez the WBO and WBC to a bout that could be a contender for fight of the year.
“Taylor has already proved that he is one of the best fighters in the world but he could become the undisputed champion in one of the quickest times ever and he has done it the hard way.”
Arthur sees Ramirez, 28, as a superbly conditioned but technically deficient boxer.
“Josh could make this fight very easy for himself,” Arthur explained to The Scotsman. “He could totally outbox Ramirez because I actually don’t think he’s that good. Ramirez is very limited in what he can offer, he’s got poor balance, his variety isn’t great. But he’s got a big heart, great stamina and will throw loads of punches, particularly in the last round.
“He’s world class in the present era but I’m not sure you’d call him that if you were to go back to the Ricky Hatton-era and guys around that time. He does a lot behind the guard, his workrate is incredible, but that’s all he’s got in my opinion.
“Whether or not the fight is as straightforward as that remains to be seen because of the nature of the beast. It could also turn into a bit of a scrap. I don’t think we’ll see a knockout so Josh should just box smart. I think he’ll win on points.
“Guys like Ramirez are used to the altitude of Las Vegas, the heat, time zone so they can make it work for them. It has a different impact on you, which I can’t really describe other than it’s odd. It’s hard to explain. You just get a lot tired more quickly.
“I think the fact Josh has been out there for the best part of a month should help him but I still don’t believe that’s enough time to adjust. I think you should do your whole camp out there, ten, maybe 12 weeks before the fight. That’s what I would have done.
“When you actually break down the whole process and what it takes to get yourself fight ready and then not get the verdict, it’s absolutely horrible; soul-destroying I’d call it. I think the judges will be fair, irrespective of it being in America and Josh being the away fighter, as this one is on another level.
“He looks like he’s had a good camp and is having the time of his life out there with his team when he’s not in the gym and why not? He should be living it up. He’s earned his right.”
