Scotland’s Josh Taylor returns to the ring for the first time in 11 months on Saturday to defend his WBA and IBF super-lightweight world titles against 11/1 underdog Apinun Khongsong at the York Hall in London.
Later in Connecticut, USA, twins Jermell and Jermall Charlo both have world title defences, with Jermell defending his super-welterweight belts against Jeison Rosario and Jermall – the oldest by one minute – taking on Sergiy Derevyanchenko for the WBC middleweight title.
Josh Taylor Can Stop Apinun Khongsong Early
Scottish super-lightweight world champion Taylor has been one of the hottest fighters in the UK over the last couple of years and he will get the chance to showcase his skills for the first time in almost a year when he takes on Thailand’s Khongsong.
Both men are undefeated and Taylor’s belts are on the line but the odds suggest they will not be heading back to south-east Asia, with the Tartan Tornado a huge favourite to keep his titles.
Khongsang is a bit of an unknown quantity with all of his pro fights taking place in Thailand or Japan, but his opponents have been nowhere near the level of Taylor, who has been at world level for some time.
Khongsang’s last four opponents had a combined record of 58-32 and they were fighting for regional titles. Taylor’s last four had a combined record of 94-1 and were all world level.
Taylor is likely to be several levels above Khongsang, and he has the power to end it early. Back the fight to last under 7.5 rounds at 4/5.
Jermall Charlo Can Finish Challenger Jeison Rosario
In America, challenger Rosario is a 33/10 underdog to beat world super-welterweight champion Jermall Charlo, but he might get found out in an entertaining fight.
Jermall lost his undefeated record in a defeat to Tony Harrison at the end of 2018, but has won two fights by knockout since – one of which was revenge over Harrison – and he will want to keep up that momentum with a convincing victory over Rosario, who also brings plenty of power to the party.
Rosario has won his last six, and stopped three of his last four, but Jermall is a class act and he has the talent to win by KO at 20/33.
*All odds correct at time of writing