:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69329684/1319542622.0.jpg)
Josh Taylor put himself in elite company tonight, becoming either the fifth or sixth (depending on your belief in Teofimo Lopez’s claim) undisputed champion in men’s boxing in the four-belt era, beating Jose Ramirez to unify the 140 lb division.
Taylor (18-0, 13 KO) won on scores of 114-112 across the board, which is a close score and only stopped from being a draw by a pair of knockdowns — or, really, at least one of them — in the sixth and seventh rounds.
But there isn’t a lot of controversy shouting out there given the scoring, other than whether or not Taylor deserved to win by wider margins. (He thinks he did, and I agree, and I think a lot of people feel the same. I’m sure there are others who disagree, but it’s not becoming A Thing.)
While this wasn’t one of those mega-marquee blockbusters, it was a truly, hugely significant fight for two guys right in their primes, who put on a hell of a fight, and the boxing world was tuned in.
Here’s some of what was said after the dust settled from pros around social media.
Josh Taylor represented in Vegas!!!
— Sergio Mora (@TheLatinSnake_) May 23, 2021
Alba gu bràth! #TaylorRamirez
Don’t love the way Taylor closed the show, though it’s irrelevant. He dominated late. #Scotland has an undisputed world #boxing champion. Josh has earned respect on his name.
— Lou DiBella (@loudibella) May 23, 2021
What a fight well done @JoshTaylorBoxer you legend
— jono carroll (@jono_carroll) May 23, 2021
I have Taylor winning clean but I could see one of these judges scoring it a draw
— Jrock (@Jrockboxing) May 23, 2021
Great fight!
— Dave Coldwell (@davidcoldwell) May 23, 2021
Worthy of the word Undisputed.
Great performance from @JoshTaylorBoxer - worthy of the title Undisputed Champion.
Only downside is I had £50 on a Taylor stoppage! #RamirezTaylor
Like I said he can box, he can punch and he's spiteful with it. Over the moon for @JoshTaylorBoxer #YouTheMan I wish I was in Scotland tonight!
— Natasha Jonas (@TashaJonas) May 23, 2021
Congratulations @JoshTaylorBoxer
— Callum Smith (@CallumSmith23) May 23, 2021
Undisputed champ. Unbelievable achievement. Take a bow
Great fight, congratulations @JoshTaylorBoxer. @RAMIREZBOXING you fought your heart out, nothing to be ashamed of.@trboxing @MTKGlobal #RamirezTaylor
— Jamel Herring (@JamelHerring) May 23, 2021
Undisputed @JoshTaylorBoxer take a bow son!! 140lb
— Martin J Ward (@MartinJWard1) May 23, 2021
Josh Taylor P4P ranking, I’d say 5 or 6! Thoughts?
— Michael Conlan (@mickconlan11) May 23, 2021
Congratulation @JoshTaylorBoxer @BenDavison_ great fight! Edinburgh castle let’s make it happen @MTKGlobal
— Jack Catterall (@jack_catt93) May 23, 2021
Josh Taylor could fight man! Congrats. Huge accomplishment
— Joseph Diaz (@JosephDiazJr) May 23, 2021