Taylor vs Davies Final Prediction

Taylor to win on points. I think Taylor will bag most of the earlier rounds, with the later rounds being closer.

 

I'd just like to say how much I like how generally civilised this discussion has been: honest, respectful assessments of each fighter's strengths and weaknesses, without hate or undue partizanship.

My own view is that Taylor is the likely winner: seems a cleverer and more gifted fighter, bigger, quicker, and with home advantage. But, O'Hara's win over Derry is the most striking recent win (even if Derry was shot - you have to admire the style), and I would not be entirely surprised if he overwhelmed Josh. I have no stake and am just looking forward to a great fight... and on terrestrial TV too.

 

I wasn't that interested in Ohara until he fought Derry Matthew's. I knew Derry was at the end of his career but I really hoped after watching the press conference that Derry would have one last hurrah and shut Davies up.

Anyway, I watched the fight and ended up very impressed with OD. Matthew's is a very tough, very proud, fighting man and to stop him in that manner just showed how hard OD is.

A defeat won't do either of them any harm in the long run, they'll both benefit from this fight in the long term.

 

I don't really understand the stature the Mathews victory is holding, he was jumping up a weight and Very much in the twilight of his career. Taylor is a completely different animal.

 

One thing that stood out for me at the press conference is Tony Sims saying he has never trained a fighter with the level of power OD has. Seemed a bit of a dig at Joshua to me, who most likely has ATG power at Heavyweight.

 

I've got OD by late stoppage. I think Ohara moves better (less predictable), throws the better variety of punches and is generally physically stronger than Taylor.

 

I could give a full break down but it is very late so I will simply say i believe Josh Taylor will win by knock out, most probably between rounds 3 to 9.

I do like Ohara Davies a lot, he is what boxing needs, a big personality and he is funny too. Media likes to say he is hated or unlikable but I disagree, he is a cool young boxer and hopefully he will have a bright future.

Both will have a game-plan but Josh Taylor's game-plan is the Ace here. It is not easy to see that it will be to stay behind the jab, stick and move, be very mobile, do not go toe-to-toe, in and out, and in the later rounds when the times comes it may even be a knockout. Quite simply, if Josh Taylor sticks to the plan his team have for him, he can only win.

Ohara Davies, he will be looking for the power shots, right hands, close the distance and get a brawl going. Unfortunately, he does not possess the high output or even combination punching that will help to implement this. I think he will end up only being able to land a solid punch once at a time. It wont be enough.

I like both fighter's and hopefully both have a lot of success in their careers.

 

Davies is not the more dangerous at close range. I'm baffled to why people think he is. Having watched them both Taylor is the more aggressive and sharper up close. Davies is actually more patient and isn't that great up close due to his long arms. He only really goes for it up close when he has the other guy hurt. Davies is more effective at range but Taylor could win there due to his better movement.

 

OD by stoppage

 

This fight could very well come down to he who has the best chin wins. We don't yet know how good or bad either guys whiskers are so this fight will be telling for both fighters, because although Taylor may appear to have the better boxing skills, their is no way he can get though this fight without taking some shots from a big powerful 140lbs fighter, unless of course he stops OD early which is possible.

 

Draw

 

I’m a fan of Josh Taylor, from what I’ve seen of him he looks a class act.. very sharp.

But what I will say is, Tony Sims and Rob McCracken have a close relationship... both having been in the corner for Froch and AJ over the years.

McCracken knows all about Josh Taylor and he will have seen Davies sparring numerous times from trips down to the Matchroom Gym.

Put it this way, before taking that fight I’m sure Sims and Hearn will have consulted McCracken as to how he’d see the fight going… and by the confidence they’ve shown in taking this fight early and away from home etc they obviously got a response they were happy with.

 

Anyone else thinks this is happening a bit too early their careers. I think both are fantastic talents. It's a great fight to have on terrestrial tv, I can't split them though. If either wins decisively it will do wonders for their career.

 

I think way too much is read into the Derry win. He'd never fought at that weight plus honestly, when was the last time you watched Derry and thought "that's a good win that". He was shot to pieces. I mean sure OD got him out of there like he should have but still, I can't be impressed by that