Josh Taylor is ready to become undisputed champion
Heading into what is probably the biggest fight of his career, WBA Super and IBF World Super Lightweight champion Josh “The Tartan Tornado” Taylor (17-0, 13 KO’s) is brimming with confidence. There is good reason for his light spirit. In his very last outing, The Tartan Tornado leveled Apinun Khongsong with a one-punch, first-round annihilation. In the prizefight preceding Khongsong, Taylor became a unified champion after defeating former WBA Super World Lightweight champion Regis Prograis by way of unanimous decision. Also, in the bout before Prograis, Taylor became a full world champion for the first time when he strong-armed Ivan Baranchyk for his 140-pound IBF strap. Needless to say, The Tartan Tornado is riding a very impressive and beneficial win-streak!
Even with the recent scalps and spoils of war that he has collected, Taylor realizes that cynicism is still rife. He is well aware that many are tabbing his opponent, WBO and WBC World Super Lightweight champion Jose Carlos “Jaguar” Ramirez (26-0, 17 KO’s), as the favorite in their upcoming scrap. At the end of the day however, he could not care less. As the Scotsman told to Boxing Social, he is used to being viewed as the underdog.
“Everybody always underestimates me! They always underestimate my punching power, my boxing, my movement, everything. There is always a wee bit of something, a wee bit of doubt that makes me the underdog for some reason. But once I get in the ring, they find out and my performances speak for themselves. And I plan on doing that on Saturday as well.”
SAME OLD SONG AND DANCE
There is no doubt that this bout is as meaningful and high stakes as they come. Both fighters are putting their undefeated records on the chopping block and the prizefight will determine the undisputed champion of the division. Despites everything that is on the line, Taylor is remaining as coolheaded as a December-rolled snowman. One major reason for this poise is the fact that the unified champion just does not believe that Jose Ramirez is bringing in anything new to the table.
“I really don’t think he’s got anything I haven’t seen before, I believe he is one-dimensional. Albeit, he is very good at what he does. He’s a unified world champion and he’s got two belts but he does the same thing every fight: come forward, put the pressure on, wait, trying to break his opponent down, work the body, work the head, push the pace and that’s about all he does. And a lot of his opponents haven’t been able to do it, but two of them have and twice he’s been beaten. And been fortunate to get the decision, very fortunate to get the decision! So, he’s easily hittable. I know that and I am going to hit him with great punches all night long.”
THE STUFF DREAMS ARE MADE OF!
Going a step further, the Scotsman is confident that not only will he win, he will win in grand fashion.
“I’ve got absolutely no doubts that I’m winning this fight on Saturday. I actually think that I am going to knock Ramirez out. Obviously, that remains to be seen but I am so confident in this fight and there is no pressure or anything at all. I’m just enjoying the ride. I’m so relaxed and confident and just enjoying what’s going on, you know what I mean. Just enjoying this moment in time, what I have trained for my whole life, I’m soaking it all up. This is a fight that dreams are made of and most fighters only dream of. I’m very fortunate to be in this position, so I’m just enjoying every single bit of it.”
Only time will tell if Josh Taylor gets the storybook ending that he believes he will. Luckily for him and fights fans, the wait is nearly over! Regardless of the outcome, 3kingsboxing will be there to report the aftermath!
By: Bakari Simpson
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