TAYLOR DROPS RAMIREZ TWICE TO BECOME UNDISPUTED SUPER LIGHTWEIGHT CHAMP

Josh Taylor of Great Britain made history Saturday night in Las Vegas by becoming the undisputed super lightweight champion of the world by defeating Jose Ramirez of California via unanimous decision. Taylor, the IBF, WBA and RING champion, added Ramirez's WBC and WBO belts to his collection after he knocked down Ramirez once in the 6th and once in the 7th round to edge Ramirez in the judges scorecards. All three judges, Tim Cheatham, Dave Moretti and Steve Weisfeld had identical scores of 114-112 in favor of the Brit.

Ramirez had early success against Taylor attacking the body of the Brit and inflicting a cut to the left eye of Taylor in the 4th round but in the 6th round, while coming in, Ramirez was caught with a short left by Taylor that dropped the Mexican-American. Taylor, whose superior speed was evident, knocked down Ramirez again in the 7th round with a left upper cut to jaw that clearly hurt Ramirez who was never the same again. From thereon Taylor was in cruise control and had not allowed Ramirez any opening going inside.

Taylor improved his undefeated record to 18 wins with 13KOs while Ramirez absorbed his first loss and dropped to 26-1, 17KOs.

Ramirez (R) on the way down to the canvas after a Taylor left uppercut.