Comments Thread For: Josh Taylor vs. Jose Zepeda Being Worked Out, Says Top Rank Prez

[jockpunk]

I'm talking about when he eventually cashes out. He should move up because he has been at 140 too long. He can do other fights at 147 and even get a high ranking there if he wins some mid-level fights at 147.

Who is he going to get that he can beat but is also a top guy? Top Rank has nobody at 147. His only option would to try and be a mandatory. Based on wbo rules he would automatically be the top ranked challenger.

[richardt]

Who is he going to get that he can beat but is also a top guy? Top Rank has nobody at 147. His only option would to try and be a mandatory. Based on wbo rules he would automatically be the top ranked challenger.

Thats why I mentioned some med level guys that can get him a ranking. If he stays at 140, thats his choice, if he moves up, thats his choice, but it's going to come down to becoming a mandatory at 147. No one knows for sure what path he is going to take; it's all speculation till he reveals what the later part of his career goals will be.

[Bronx2245]

To stay at 140, and not give Catterall a rematch is a cowardly act! The only good thing is maybe this means we get Teofimo Lopez Jr. vs. Arnold Barboza Jr.??? MAN UP!

[Rodtang]

I'm talking about when he eventually cashes out. He should move up because he has been at 140 too long. He can do other fights at 147 and even get a high ranking there if he wins some mid-level fights at 147.

He wants to fight for a world title at 147. Not take non title fights. He'll prefer defending the title's he's worked hard for, rather than non title fights he can't get motivated for. The bottom line also is that TR have no WW to give him, but have 140 guys in abundance. And there's not a lot of good welter matches to be made for a TR fighter in general. Crawford's record at 147 proves that. So Taylor will stay at 147 until most probably the WBO belt becomes vacant at 147. Crawford and Spence will fight each other then move up. And Crawford and TR won't do buisness again, considering Crawford has a lawsuit against them.

[Rodtang]

Should be a good fight. If Taylor is as affected by the weight as he says he was against Catterall and puts in a similar performance, he's probably getting stopped.

I think he buggered up his camp and the weight cut. He made weight, but probably not as he should have. It seems after the Catteral fight he's went back to the gym a lot lighter and in better shape than when he started the Catterall camp. So if he gets it right this time he hopefully will be on point. His last camp was also broken up with his injury. You don't become a bad fighter overnight, I'm sure he'll make a point of bouncing back. I like this fight. Should be a cracker.

[Rodtang]

Can Taylor win this fight? Surely some changes will be required considering what the last southpaw did to him.

He beat prograis no problem, he's southpaw. He had a bad day at the office last time out. He'll be looking to prove that.

[Rodtang]

If there is a rotation system in place for unified champions to make title defenses, and the WBC was next up in the rotation, then why did the WBA pressure and strip Josh Taylor?

That's bullsh-t.

I hope boxing reporters pursue this story further and question Gilberto Mendoza Jr to get answers. Don't let him just fly under the radar.

They will probably say that their under pressure to reduce titles and carry out their consolidation process. But they've not bothered Canelo, and they didn't order any fights, that would have seen a certain fighter who held 3 WBA belts at once, have to step up and take on a real fight and not a hand picked comfortable fight. There's rules for some and rules for others.

[Rodtang]

People thought the fight with Catterall was a robbery. It was close regardless, there should have been a rematch.

Rooting for Zepeda.

I think he'll want to rematch Catteral at some point. But it can't happen simply because of mandatories. But I think well see it again at some time.

[Rodtang]

Who is he going to get that he can beat but is also a top guy? Top Rank has nobody at 147. His only option would to try and be a mandatory. Based on wbo rules he would automatically be the top ranked challenger.

Exactly this. He'll most probably stay at 140 until he can fight for the WBO at 147. Either his mandatory shot, which should be next spring. Or the vacant title after Crawford, Spence.

[Rodtang]

Thats why I mentioned some med level guys that can get him a ranking. If he stays at 140, thats his choice, if he moves up, thats his choice, but it's going to come down to becoming a mandatory at 147. No one knows for sure what path he is going to take; it's all speculation till he reveals what the later part of his career goals will be.

His goal is to go after a title at 147. He's stated that repeatedly. But a Crawford fight is no longer an option. So he'll stay at 140 until a shot is on. He's said he doesnt want to give up the belts he's worked hard for. I think he'll take this Zepeda fight, and then fight for the WBO, which will probably be vacant by that time. He has mandatory entitlement. He just has to make sure he doesn't bugger it up lol.