JOSH TAYLOR dropped Jose Ramirez TWICE on his way to create history and become Britain’s first four-belt undisputed world champion.
The Tartan Tornado secured a unanimous decision triumph to add Ramirez’s WBO and WBC straps to his WBA, IBF and Ring Magazine world titles in Las Vegas.
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Follow ALL of the latest reaction below…
CRAWFORD NEXT?
Taylor has spoken of his desire to move up to 147lbs and take on welterweight undisputed king Terence Crawford.
The Scot said: “I think two undisputed champions going at it at 147 pounds would be awesome, would be amazing.
“I’m not going to be short of options now, every fight is going to be huge. We’ll take it and see what comes my way, we’ll just ride the wave.”
UNDISPUTED
Only four other boxers have been undisputed champions in the four-belt era.
- Oleksandr Usyk, cruiserweight 2018 (Ukraine)
- Terence Crawford, welterweight 2018 (US)
- Jermain Taylor, middleweight 2005 (US)
- Bernard Hopkins, middleweight 2004 (US)
DROPPED
Incredible shot as Taylor drops Ramirez on his way to make history.
ALL THE MARBLES
UNDISPUTED CHAMP
History for Scotland’s Taylor in Las Vegas as he becomes the first British four-belt undisputed champion.
HIGHLAND HEROES
Taylor has now emulated the achievements of Edinburgh icon Ken Buchanan who became undisputed lightweight king fifty years ago.
The pair are close pals and taylor is honoured to be mentioned alongside him.
He said: “I did it just like you!
“I’ll see you when I get home. Much love.
“He’s a legend. You gave me so much inspiration to do it, and I’m just like you.
“See you soon, champ.”
BAD BLOOD
Taylor clashed with Ramirez and his outspoken manager in the build-up.
But he revealed it was all mindgames.
The undisputed boss said: “I’ve got nothing but love for Ramirez.
“This week was no disrespect.
“It was all part of the mind games to get in his head, to make him more eager to jump in at me and be more aggressive, to use his aggression against him.”
THE CHAMP SPEAKS
An emotional Tartan Tornado says: “I’m ecstatic. I’ve trained my whole life for this.
“I’ve dedicated my whole life for this moment.
“I’ve dreamt of it so many times over, man. I’m so, so happy.
“I’m over the moon. I’ve trained for this moment all my life.”
THAT MOMENT
When all the hard work and sacrifice – the blood, sweat and tears – ends in total fighting immortality.
Josh Taylor, in just 18 fights, is the undisputed king of the 10st division…
ALL PHWOAR BELTS
Josh Taylor is the undisputed four-belt king of the super-lightweight division.
A magnificent performance ina brilliant fight.
INCREDIBLE SCENES
Josh Taylor is the WBC, WBA, IBF and WBO super-lightweight world champion.
The Scotland hero becomes a boxing legend.
Trememdous boxing from the Prestonpans warrior.
Precision punching, a granite chin and a tight defence for the final few rounds.
TAYLOR WINS
The ringside Nevada judges all score it: 114-112
Ramirez dropped twice in two of the middle rounds.
And the Scotland hero is named the undisputed king of the super-lightweight division.
Incredible.
ROUND TWELVE
Taylor throws a left hand and Ramirez chops in a little right.
Taylor is dancing to a points win he must be confident of getting on away soil.
The Scot has taken his foot off the gas in the championship rounds.
All over – surely Taylor gets it?
ROUND TWELVE
Final round and Ramirez will know he needs something special to avoid defeat.
Taylor is three minutes away from undisputed immortality.
The Scot is always poised to counter and covers up when Ramirez attacks.
ROUND ELEVEN
Ramirez lands some hard jabs at the beginning of the session.
Taylor scores with a lead left hand and then a double jab.
Taylor even punches into the orthodox stance briefly.
Another crisp left lands from the Brit but Ramirez scores and makes Taylor retreat and hold.
ROUND TEN
Ramirez hurls a right hand as the bell gets us going again.
Does the 26-0 American have anything left?
The Tartan Tornado is breezing around the ring now.
Taylor is making his rival miss but not punishing him yet and Ramirez scores with a jab.
Ramirez lands a one-two that seemed to stiffen Taylor but he lands another left hand right on the ding!
ROUND NINE
Brilliant boxing from Taylor, precision punching that has dropped Ramirez twice now.
The uppercut is the money shot for Taylor.
Ramirez looks a shadow of the pressure fighter who started the bout, he stumbles as he tries to throw a desperate attack.
More action after the bell as Ramirez tries to fight dirty.
ROUND EIGHT
Ramirez is fighting on empty, heroic stuff but for how long?
Taylor makes him miss beautifully twice too, sapping at his energy.
Taylor lets Ramirez throw and counters with a right hook.
The bell goes and Ramirez throws a couple of late ones and Taylor loves the action.
ROUND EIGHT
Ramirez was smashed with a brilliant left uppercut and folded into the floor.
It is a miracle he got up.
Two 10-8 rounds now banked for the Scotsman.
Ramirez needs something special now and is moaning to the ref about Taylor’s batterings.
ROUND SEVEN – RAMIREZ DOWN
The knockdown was heavy but Ramirez is back and throwing bombs.
Taylor drives a long left hand into Ramirez’s body and Ramirez’s corner plead with him to jab more.
Ramirez is still pouring on pressure but Taylor seems to be handling it all.
A huge uppercut drops Ramirez again right . How did he beat the count?
ROUND SIX
Taylor has a 10-8 round in the bank now and lands another long left hand right on the chops of Ramirez.
The Scot is connecting with heavy shots now and the bell stops the action.
Tyson Fury is filmed in the crowd loving the action.
ROUND SIX – RAMIREZ DOWN
The American launched an early attack and walked onto a Taylor left hand that dropped him.
The undefeated champ beat the count and fired some body blows back.
That was the third flooring of Ramirez’s career but he was never beaten in the previous two.
ROUND FIVE
Ramirez is handling Taylor’s shots well and applying his own roughhouse pressure.
A peach of a left hand drives into Ramirez’s face but the warrior grins it off.
The bell goes and Taylor holds an arm aloft to celebrate what he feels is a banked round with the judges.
ROUND FOUR
Ramirez turns his back to complain about a rabbit punch but the referee ignores it Taylor almost scores a freak stoppage.
Taylor thumps a blow into Ramirez’s gut but the Scot is getting roughed up when things are close.
Right on the bell Taylor scores with a left hook.
Non-stop action, brilliant boxing.
ROUND FOUR
Taylor will want to turn the tide now and not let the pressure fighter get into a rhythm.
A couple of whipped left hooks look for Ramirez but Taylor doesn’t connect preoperly.
Ramirez lands an uppercut on the ropes and then a stiff right hand.
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
