Josh Taylor faces the biggest test of his career on Saturday when hosting Miguel Vazquez over 12 rounds - an opponent who has held his own with the game's elite, including Saul Alvarez and Timothy Bradley Jr. The supremely talented Scotsman is picked to get the win needed to stretch his record to a perfect 11, with punters asking how he'll do it, rather than if.
That suggests an easy night for Taylor, but nothing could be further from the truth. Vazquez is a fighter of 44 bouts experience, only 30 years old, and comes in on the back of a fourth-round knockout win. Does he have what it takes to upset the party at the Royal Highland Centre, Edinburgh? We'll find out live on Channel Five.
Taylor proved he's the complete package
Josh Taylor recorded a personal best win over previously unbeaten Londoner Ohara Davies last time out in Glasgow. The 26-year-old - winner of a gold medal at the 2014 Commonwealth Games - showed his class that night, boxing when he had to and biting down on the gumshield to fight when it was needed. Davies travelled north with high expectations, but was sent home to think again, stopped in the seventh round.
Taylor to win again, trades at 1/25 on the Sportsbook, 1.05 the Exchange and in turn offers next to no value. There's more to smile about in the method of victory market though, another KO/TKO yours at 8/11. That would have been a winning bet in each of the home hero's last two starts, South African Warren Joubert taken out in six earlier this year, his corner throwing in the towel to save their man from any further punishment.
Vazquez arrives on a winning run
Miguel Vazquez arrives in Scotland's capital with a record of 39 wins and five defeats, but a flick through his previous makes for interesting reading if you're a lover of the noble art. He's lost to some of the best in the game, but hasn't suffered defeat since October 2015. Since going down to Argenis Mendez on points over 10 rounds, the Mexican has rhymed off four wins on the trot, two of those coming inside-the-distance.
Last seen in his homeland vs Jose Daniel Ruiz, Vazquez blazed his way to an early night, declared the winner inside four rounds. He brings plenty of power into this one, and even more experience, making the 13.50 an interesting option. Taylor has not yet had his chin tested. Vazquez by KO/TKO is a heavyweight 33/1, market best price on the Betfair Sportsbook. Prefer to cover your back? This bout not to hear the final bell is 8/13.
Mexican will give us value for money
For me, Josh Taylor is one of the most exciting prospects on the circuit at the minute, and looks destined to go all the way. Ohara Davies is a skilled, hard-hitting opponent, but he looked out of his depth vs Josh, who appeared to have another gear or two in reserve. He's one of the most talented boxers I've watched come out of Scotland in a long time. A champion amateur, and a pro destined for the top.
It's still very early in the favourite's career, and that's why I think his handlers have ploughed money into getting Vazquez over to Scotland. Experienced, dangerous, he has been in with some big names, and has never been stopped. If Taylor can get him out of there, he'll be making a massive statement. But I don't see it. Promoters will get value out of the Mexican. Take Taylor on points at 11/8 (Sportsbook). In a word - value.
Recommended Bet
Taylor win on points @ 11/8 (Betfair Sportsbook)
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