Ivan Baranchyk will attempt to defend his IBF title and advance to the WBSS finals against the popular Josh Taylor!
Earlier this year, the talk was that the WBSS was in jeopardy of continuing due to talks of financial trouble. With those troubles out of the way the WBSS is a go with the bantamweight and super lightweight tournaments currently underway.
In Glasgow, Scotland, the second semi-finals of the bantamweight and super lightweight tournaments are taking place.
In the super lightweight semis, you have bit of a homecoming as Josh Taylor will be fighting on home turf when he faces off against IBF Super Lightweight champion Ivan Baranchyk.
While Baranchyk is the defending champ, Taylor is viewed by many as the favorite. Who wins and why? 3KingsBoxing is here to provide our take.
Ivan Baranchyk (19-0, 12 KO’s)
Age: 26
Location: Amursk, Russia
When discussing the top super lightweight fighters in the world, the undefeated Russian may be the most overlooked and least talked about fighters in the lot. Now residing in Miami, Oklahoma, Baranchyk’s mode of operation is to stalk and pressure, and ultimately wear his opponent out.
While Baranchyk has decent enough skills, his greatest advantages are based on the physical aspects of his game. The defending champ is a physical beast.
He’s strong as an ox and fights at an incredibly high pace with outstanding stamina. It’s his physicality, his conditioning and will that will often cause his opponents to capitulate and wilt.
Keys to Victory
Get inside, stay inside, and force the pace. In a boxing contest, the clear advantage goes to Josh Taylor. For Baranchyk to win, he has to get inside Taylor’s chest. The Russian must find a way to make Taylor uncomfortable, find his body and make this a physically grueling fight.
Josh Taylor (15-0, 12 KO’s)
Age: 28
Location: Edinburgh, Scotland
Taylor may well be the best fighter in the WBSS Super-Lightweight tournament. The Scottish southpaw is blessed with quick hands and feet, plus punching power to hurt his opponent.
While at his best on the outside displaying his array of boxing skills, the 5’10” Taylor has displayed the ability to fight inside as well. Over the last year, Taylor has really come into his own as a fighter and is approaching his prime.
Keys to Victory
Establish the jab and keep the fight in the center of the ring. Taylor is the more skilled, faster and more athletic fighter. Make this a center-of-the-ring fight where he slows down the pace.
He needs to use his eyes to find the target and land punches on Baranchyk, who can be countered. If Taylor can find a way to hurt the tough-as-nails champion, Taylor has a chance to not only win, but dominate.
Prediction
Baranchyk is a beast physically, a bit of a brahma bull who is the physically stronger fighter. However, outside of the physical strength department all the other advantages belong to Taylor.
The better skills of Taylor will be the difference in this. Plus, he has enough power to get the respect of the champion.
Baranchyk will have his moments for sure, and this fight will go the distance. However, Taylor has too much in his arsenal and will win this fight by unanimous decision.
By: Michael Wilson Jr.
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