Two undefeated junior welterweights collide for the undisputed title when Jose Carlos Ramirez (26-0) and Josh Taylor (17-0) face off on May 22 in Las Vegas.

We have the betting odds and pick you need to be the big winner on fight night.

Taylor faces another tough test

After winning the junior welterweight version of the World Boxing Super Series in 2019, Taylor’s quiet 2020 consisted of a first-round KO of Apinun Khongsong courtesy of a body shot.

The prodigious Taylor operates behind a solid jab and has considerable power, not to mention that he fights well on the inside. Despite only 17 career fights, Taylor has quickly established himself as a true force at 140 lbs, but faces his toughest test yet in Ramirez.

Ramirez is capable, but lacks consistency

Ramirez is a skilled pressure fighter and an absolute chore to fight against. If his opponents aren’t already getting clobbered around the ring, his relentless pressure can wear them out, making him dangerous at every point in the fight.

While Ramirez has looked incredible, such as his sixth-round TKO of Maurice Hooker, an awkward opponent can sometimes slow him down. His uneven performances against Viktor Postol and Jose Zepeda were saved by his nonstop offense, but Taylor’s pedigree might give him more trouble

Taylor will hold off Ramirez’s late charge

The early rounds will tell us how the fight will eventually go. Either Taylor is successful in his role as the matador and builds an insurmountable lead, or Ramirez is undeterred and swarms Taylor. 

Taylor’s southpaw stance might buy him the time he needs to do the former. He’s strong enough to bully Ramirez around, and tough enough to take his shots in the pocket. He’ll need to limit Ramirez’s output by mixing up standing his ground and wrapping him up on the inside.

Ramirez’s style can steal a good amount of rounds if Taylor slows down. Ultimately, the most likely scenario will be Taylor building an early lead and having to hold on late as Ramirez surges back. These two fighters complement each other nicely, and the fight should be fiercely competitive.

A draw isn’t out of the question, but if there’s a pick to be made, Taylor’s class should narrowly outshine Ramirez’s grit. Expect Taylor to build an early lead and hold on to score a razor-thin decision.

Boxing pick: Taylor