Summary

  • Use audio icon to listen to BBC Radio 5 Live commentary

  • Epic thriller saw Ramirez floored twice

  • Scotland's Josh Taylor becomes undisputed light-welterweight division world champion of the world

  • Taylor becomes only the fifth man in history to become undisputed world champion

  1. Postpublished at 02:35 British Summer Time 23 May 2021

    I can tell you Josh Taylor is peppering the pads with light jabs in his changing room.

    Those who have followed the fight week will known he's become aggressive and confrontational, not just with Ramirez but with the American's team.

    There was a melee at Friday's weigh in and Taylor has seemed to relish making things tasty.

  2. 'I'm just like you champ'published at 02:30 British Summer Time 23 May 2021

    Taylor v Ramirez

    While Josh Taylor can become an undisputed champion tonight, he's more than aware of how a win will see his name placed alongside that of Ken Buchanan in conversations.

    Buchanan, who held two world titles long before the four-belt era, has been unwell in recent years and Taylor has a trip to visit him planned should he return to Scotland a champion.

    You can hear what he told 5 Live Boxing below.

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  3. The Postol factorpublished at 02:28 British Summer Time 23 May 2021

    Taylor v Ramirez

    The name of Viktor Postol has been thrown around a lot this week.

    That's because the Ukraine man has been in the ring with both Josh Taylor and Jose Ramirez.

    Some say the way Taylor hammered him around the ring for 12 rounds in 2018 shows why he is favourite tonight given Ramirez was far less convincing last August.

    Boxing is a strange business as we know. While such form lines offer us something, things can change so swiftly when the bell sounds. A single punch or cut is all it takes...

  4. Postpublished at 02:23 British Summer Time 23 May 2021

    Jose Ramirez and Josh TaylorImage source, Getty Images

    Right, we're parking all Fury v Wilder talk because quite frankly, less than seven days ago Fury was telling us he had agreed to fight Anthony Joshua.

    Tonight belongs to men who weigh far less on the scales.

    Josh Taylor and Jose Ramirez, the floor is yours.

  5. Fury signs Wilder dealpublished at 02:17 British Summer Time 23 May 2021

    Taylor v Ramirez

    I should tell you that Tyson Fury just stormed onto the ESPN set in Las Vegas and told everyone he has now signed for a third fight with Deontay Wilder.

    Fury against Anthony Joshua is one we will have to wait for. It's been a grim week for boxing in that respect so let's hope Josh Taylor and Jose Ramirez give us a right good scrap so we can forget about politics for a while!

  6. Sunshine on... Vegaspublished at 02:15 British Summer Time 23 May 2021

    Taylor v Ramirez

    Josh Taylor cut a cool figure as he arrived at the Virgin Hotel in Las Vegas. Certainly not showing any distress after his beloved Hibernian blew the Scottish Cup final to St Johnstone on Saturday.

    Will the sun be shining on the Tartan Tornado this morning?

    Josh TaylorImage source, Getty Images
  7. Postpublished at 02:11 British Summer Time 23 May 2021

    Oleksandr UsykImage source, Getty Images

    Oleksandr Usyk - you know the guy who Anthony Joshua will be fighting come August - held all four world titles at cruiserweight in 2018 after winning the World Boxing Super Series tournament.

    Bernard Hopkins held all four belts at middleweight in 2004 and then lost them a year later to fellow American Jermain Taylor.

    And then there's Terence Crawford, who swept the straps at welterweight in 2018.

    So one guy from Ukraine, three from America and tonight, perhaps a Scot?

  8. Postpublished at 02:08 British Summer Time 23 May 2021

    As some of you will have read this week, only four men have held all four belts in a weight division before.

    Now this is a little complex as there was a time when holding four wasn't really a big deal. Only when the WBO title gained significance did it become a 'thing'.

    So who are the four?

    That's next.

  9. 'It could be an historic occasion'published at 02:05 British Summer Time 23 May 2021

    Mike Costello
    Boxing commentator on BBC Radio 5 Live

    Quote Message

    There have been six world title fights in the era of four recognised world bodies - going back to 1988 - across the weight divisions with all four belts at stake. This is a great chance for Taylor. These are rare, rare occasions. It could be a historic occasion with him possibly becoming the first British fighter ever to be world champion and recognised by all four of the world governing bodies. If he wins all four belts on Saturday, there would be a good case for saying that it is one of the best achievements in recent years by any British sportsman or woman."

  10. So let's go...published at 02:01 British Summer Time 23 May 2021

    Taylor v Ramirez

    So while Josh Taylor warms up in his changing room as he prepares to grab that piece of history, YOU guys go get a coffee and get ready to dig in for some fight commentary.

    You'll be able to read it in this page and an extra treat is in store as you can listen to 5 Live for full commentary shortly.

    What a morning. Sleep, who needs it?

  11. Go grab some history...published at 01:55 British Summer Time 23 May 2021

    Taylor v Ramirez

    Josh TaylorImage source, Getty Images

    Those thousands of hours in the gym. The millions of lonely punches crashed against a bag or pad and it's all to get here.

    A fight for all four world titles, a chance to earn a place in the history books and the night where all you ever dreamed of will feel so close that all you need to do is reach out and grab it.

    Welcome my friends.

  12. Up where the air is thin...published at 01:44 British Summer Time 23 May 2021

    Taylor v Ramirez

    Jose Ramirez and Josh TaylorImage source, Getty Images

    The air is thin when you're at the top of the mountain my friends.

    And tonight, we are right at the peak.