Josh Taylor v Jose Ramirez: Scot becomes first Briton to unify division in four-belt era

Josh Taylor delivered a titanic performance to become Britain’s first undisputed world champion in the four-belt era by defeating Jose Ramirez by unanimous decision in an enthralling light-welterweight unification bout.

Taylor, who is undefeated in 18 bouts after inflicting Ramirez’s first loss, is just the fifth man in the sport to hold all four belts in a division.

Victory in the epic contest at the Virgin Hotel in Nevada, fewer than seven years on from winning gold at Glasgow’s Commonwealth games as an amateur, means Taylor retains his IBF and WBA titles while adding the WBO and WBC belts to his cabinet.

Question marks were raised about the promotion of the event, billed as bout of the year, with fellow Briton Billy Joe Saunders fighting in front of a record indoor US crowd with Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez a fortnight prior.

But there were no doubts about the quality fight fans were about to witness, with four world title belts on the line and two unbeaten records consisting of 43 contests between two pristine fighters in their prime.

There was everything to lose in Nevada, but glory was also within the grasp of two men at the peak of their powers.

Often fights with so much on the line can take time to heat up, but this one hurled out the blocks as the bell echoed out, both fighters catching each other with body shots early.

Underdog Ramirez started aggressively, catching Taylor with a jab late in the first round and continuing to impress in the second by giving the Scot trouble with a flurry of shots up against the ropes.

The American further pressed Taylor in the third, opening up and lunging forward to land a strong left hand before pressuring the Edinburgh fighter, again on the ropes, and ending the round with a strong uppercut.

Resurgent Taylor stirred from within

Taylor almost looked overwhelmed at times with the 28-year-old’s speed as both fighters exchanged tasty shots throughout the fourth, resulting in a cut opening above the Scot’s left eye.

But despite the blood trickling down his cheek, he composed himself to take a foothold in the fight. He came out swinging, landing a strong right hook and another left hand as the end of the fifth neared.

Then, knockdown number one. Within 15 seconds of the sixth round, the Scot sent Ramirez to the canvas with a huge left hand coming over the top. The American responded impeccably to get back on his feet quickly and smacked a right before the home favourite took another stinging left from the Scot to top an explosive round.

Taylor showed no signs of letting up and looked well in his groove as he earned a second knockdown in the seventh, thundering a shuddering uppercut to Ramirez. This time when he staggered to his feet Taylor aimed to end the fight, but the man scrambling from the canvas was saved by the bell.

Agencies