I acknolwedged it is better to have one champ than four, particularly in a bad division. After all, who needs four bad champs when one will do? That's about all I can muster for this one. Do we have to pretend this matchup is a big deal? They could simply award all four belts to Josh Taylor and not stage the fight and I doubt anyone would really notice. This reminds me of when Pernell Whitaker fought Juan Nazario for "all the belts." And HBO desperately tried to make it a big deal. "YOU HAVE to be excited about this," was the insistance. "There hasn't been a unified lightweight champ since Duran. YOU MUST be excited about this or you aren't a fan." And Whitaker stopped him in one, and nobody talks about it anymore. Nobody cared then. Nobody cares now. It was a formality. Because the matchup was bad. That's all this is. Josh Taylor fans are excited because Josh Taylor can pick up all four belts. 18 wins. 4 belts. Got it. I totally understand. But I can't fake that this fight is GREAT for the sport. The outcome will boost Josh Taylor. Maybe it will lead to great fights down the road. But this fight isn't one of them.
Well, all I can say is we will see. I think Ramirez is going to bring a lot more to this fight than getting steamrolled in a formality. I think this will be an entertaining fight with loads of action. Even if this was the divisions 9 vs 10, I would still be excited due to the potential for a great fight. Any undisputed fight, in any division is great for the sport. We need clarity, we need 1 vs 2. I respect your view though, we just see it differently.
Whether or not he does get steamrolled, or if the fight even brings clarity with Tank and Lopez coming up, it's going to be entertaining while it lasts. Not exactly "one for the purists."
I think Ramirez can hurt Taylor enough to make the fight interesting. I could see this being a war that ends in a draw.
Whatever the division is now is one thing but it’s potentially a monster once all these young 135ers move up and try to become undisputed on their way to full welterweight.
Great fight. While I find Ramirez an eminently likable kid and a worthy titlist, I think Taylor is a better athlete and technician who will get the better of the gutsy Mexican American in most of the exchanges en route to an entertaining yet clear decision.
That’s would be because to promoted by the dinosaurs top rank. Have a great stable but over the last five years or so. Their promoting skills are shocking. Zero hype. they need a new upcoming front man
I live in Edinburgh where Josh Taylor is from and I’ve been to 2 of his fights. I still think he’s a massive tosser though. The guy seems pretty horrible. He is in no way a household name in the city he’s from despite being a world champion. Most coverage he’s had here was for being verbally abusive to an Asian doorman.
Did you see Taylor vs Progris? If a bad division can produce a fight like that ,is it really a bad division?
Yes, I feel the same way. There is a whole lot of interest in the future of this division, lots of young fighters looking to move up. If the winner of this fight sticks around as opposed to heading North, that will make for some very tasty matchups in the next year or two.