Josh Taylor drops Jose Ramirez twice en route to decision victory, becomes undisputed champion at 140 pounds

Taylor earned the pair of titles Ramirez brought to the fight, making him a four-belt champion at junior welterweight

In a rare meeting of two unbeaten and unified titleholders for the four-belt undisputed championship at 140 pounds, Scotland's Josh Taylor proved he's the best junior welterweight boxer in the world. 

Taylor (18-0, 13 KOs) scored a pair of crucial knockdowns to seize back the momentum against Jose Ramirez (26-1, 17 KOs) before hanging on for a close but unanimous decision inside Virgin Hotel Las Vegas. 

All three judges had it 114-112 in favor of Taylor, who unified his WBA and IBF titles with the WBC and WBO crowns previously worn by Ramirez. CBS Sports also had it for Taylor but much wider at 117-109. 

While the fight didn't quite live up to its lofty expectations as an instant classic, it was fun theater just the same as both fighters kept up a quick pace without abandoning their technique or defense. Taylor outlanded Ramirez over the 12 rounds by a margin of 145 to 134, according to CompuBox.

"It was a great performance," Taylor said. "At times, I could have given him a little bit more of success by holding my feet and letting him get his punches off but I kept moving instead and never let him near me over the 12 rounds. I felt the scorecards were a little bit tight. I thought they were well wider than that."

Can't get enough boxing and MMA? Get the latest in the world of combat sports from two of the best in the business. Subscribe to Morning Kombat with Luke Thomas and Brian Campbell for the best analysis and in-depth news.

Taylor, a 30-year-old native of Scotland, became just the second undisputed junior welterweight champion in the four-belt era to join current WBO welterweight champion Terence Crawford in 2017. Crawford, who joins Taylor under the Top Rank banner entering the final fight of his promotional deal, has coincidentally been rumored as a potential next opponent. 

"We will take it as it comes," Taylor said about what's next. "The options aren't going to be small as for what is coming next."

The 28-year-old Ramirez, a native of Fresno, California, embraced Taylor in the ring after the decision was read, which was a far cry from the uncharacteristic volatility the two fighters exchanged during fight week. Taylor nearly came to blows with Ramirez in the hotel after Friday's weigh-in and the trash talk between them continued at the close of many rounds. 

"I've got nothing but love for Ramirez," Taylor said. "All this week was not disrespect but just mind games to try and get in his head and try and use his aggression against him. We said that all week and that's what we did. We played the games all week but there is no disrespect and all love. I think he's a great ambassador for the sport."

CBS Sports was with you throughout the entire way on Saturday, so be sure to follow along with the live results and highlights below. 

Fight card, results

• Josh Taylor def. Jose Ramirez via unanimous decision (114-112, 114-112, 114-112)
• Jose Zepeda def. Hank Lundy via unanimous decision (98-92, 98-92, 98-92)
• Kenneth Sims Jr. def. Elvis Rodriguez via majority decision (76-76, 78-74, 78-74)

Ramirez vs. Taylor scorecard, live coverage

Round	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	Total
Ramirez	9	9	10	9	9	8	8	9	10	9	9	10	109
Taylor	10	10	9	10	10	10	10	10	9	10	10	9	117

[May 22, 2021 at 10:52 pm ET · Brian Campbell]

Closer than my card but the right fighter won. Great performance from Taylor.

[May 22, 2021 at 10:52 pm ET · Brian Campbell]

SCORECARDS: 114-112, 114-112, 114-112 for Josh Taylor.

[May 22, 2021 at 10:50 pm ET · Brian Campbell]

I've got it 117-109 for Taylor as we head to the scorecards:

[May 22, 2021 at 10:49 pm ET · Brian Campbell]

R12: Ramirez just doesn't have the firepower. Taylor authors a beautiful statement. Final round to Ramirez for pressure, 10-9.

[May 22, 2021 at 10:48 pm ET · Brian Campbell]

R12: Ramirez keeps missing with his left hook as Taylor sidesteps trouble.

[May 22, 2021 at 10:48 pm ET · Brian Campbell]

R12: Taylor lands two left hands before eating a counter right.

[May 22, 2021 at 10:47 pm ET · Brian Campbell]

R12: Short left hook from Ramirez on the break was a good one. He's walking Taylor down but all of this holding is sullying it.

[May 22, 2021 at 10:47 pm ET · Brian Campbell]

R12: Left hand to the body from Taylor. Ramirez is aggressive with his feet but he just can't seem to land anything big and is starting to get gun shy.

[May 22, 2021 at 10:46 pm ET · Brian Campbell]

ROUND 12: Final round and it's time for Ramirez to get dramatic.

[May 22, 2021 at 10:45 pm ET · Brian Campbell]

R11: Despite Ramirez's late pressure, Taylor landed the better shots. Again. 10-9 Taylor (Overall: 108-99)

[May 22, 2021 at 10:45 pm ET · Brian Campbell]

R11: Ramirez rallies nice with pressure in the final minute. Taylor smothering it, however, by holding.

[May 22, 2021 at 10:43 pm ET · Brian Campbell]

R11: Beautiful left cross from Taylor. And a stiff jab before sneaking in a left hook on the break. Masterful stuff from Taylor.

[May 22, 2021 at 10:43 pm ET · Brian Campbell]

R11: Ramirez just doesn't have enough tools or firepower to force the momentum away from Taylor and specifically not at this range.

[May 22, 2021 at 10:42 pm ET · Brian Campbell]

ROUND 11: Ramirez goes back to the jab but Taylor is too quick to eat anything clean.

[May 22, 2021 at 10:42 pm ET · Brian Campbell]

Ramirez needs a knockout on my scorecard. He is a bit closer on others entering the championship rounds.

[May 22, 2021 at 10:41 pm ET · Brian Campbell]

R10: Ramirez cut in after the break to land a sneaky and leaping two-punch combo. Nice counter left hand from Taylor late. That was enough to steal the round. 10-9, Taylor.

[May 22, 2021 at 10:40 pm ET · Brian Campbell]

R10: Right hook counter from Taylor on the break. He has beaten Ramirez at his own game in some ways.

[May 22, 2021 at 10:39 pm ET · Brian Campbell]

R10: Taylor boxing beautifully. He's keeping away from danger and not letting Ramirez get into a rhythm. Hard counter left hand from Taylor.

[May 22, 2021 at 10:38 pm ET · Brian Campbell]

ROUND 10: Taylor working well off the jab. Nice left cross.

[May 22, 2021 at 10:37 pm ET · Brian Campbell]

R9: Ramirez the busier one late. Taylor seemed OK giving that one away. Ramirez took it, 10-9 (Overall: 88-81 Taylor)

[May 22, 2021 at 10:36 pm ET · Brian Campbell]

R9: Tayor slows down a bit. Ramirez doing just enough to control this one.

[May 22, 2021 at 10:35 pm ET · Brian Campbell]

R9: Ramirez pressures to the body and forces the clinch. Nice jabs from Ramirez on the outside.