Josh Taylor vs Ivan Baranchyk Preview May 18th
The World Boxing Super Series continues this Saturday, May 18th in Glasgow, Scotland with local hero Josh Taylor and WBC Silver Super Lightweight Champion takes on IBF Super Lightweight Champion Ivan Baranchyk of Russia in a battle of unbeaten fighters. The 12-round bout can be seen in North America on DAZN and fans in the UK can catch the action on Sky Sports. Taylor, of Edinburgh, last fought in November when he stopped Ryan Martin in the seventh round while Baranchyk stopped Anthony Yigit after seven rounds in October to win the vacant IBF title which Mikey Garcia left behind. Igit’s left eye was swollen shut and the doctor stopped the bout.
**Watch live on DAZN this Saturday. Your first month is free.
Taylor vs Baranchyk Betting Odds
Here are the betting odds from online sportsbook BetOnline.ag (full review here).
- Ivan Baranchyk +405
- Josh Taylor -500
My Pick
The 28-year-old Taylor is a southpaw who owns a perfect record of 14-0 along with 12 Kos. It’s obvious he has quite a bit of power in his fists with a current knockout ratio of 86 per cent, but had to go the 12-round distance in against Viktor Postol last June. Taylor turned pro back in 2015 and has just 66 rounds under his belt since then. He stands 5-feet-10-inches tall and has a wingspan of 69.5 inches. His biggest wins have been over Taylor, Postol, Winston Campos, Miguel Vazquez and Ohara Davies.
The ‘Tartan Tornado’ Taylor has fought mainly in the UK with a couple of bouts in America. He won a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games in India in 2010 in the lightweight division and went 1-1 at the 2012 Olympics in London, England. He then won a gold medal at the 2012 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. He’s also been the Commonwealth Champion as a pro and Taylor has adapted well to the pro game and has surprised many opponents with his power and polished boxing skills.
Baranchyk is a 26-year-old who now fights out of the USA. He’s 5-feet-8-inches tall with a 67-inch reach so he gives up two inches in height and 2.5 inches in reach to Taylor. He has good power with current knockout ratio of 63 per cent but he isn’t known as a one-punch KO artist. He’s one of those guys who simply wears his opponents down all night long by digging hard shots to the head and body and he also owns a solid chin.
Baranchyk, who’s now working with famed trainer Freddy Roach, also enjoyed a fine amateur career and won a gold medal at the 2009 World Junior Championships. Since turning pro he’s also won the USBA Super Lightweight Title and the WBC USNBC Super Lightweight Belt. Baranchyk has fought numerous times in the USA, but most of his opponents are unrecognizable to the average fans such as Nicholas Givan, Eliseo Sesma, Zhimin Wang, Wilberth Lopez, Abel Ramos, Petr Petrov and Keenan Smith.
Prediction…
This is a good matchup and the winner will carry on in the tournament to face Regis Prograis in the final of the World Boxing Super Series. Taylor has all of the advantages since he’s fighting at home, is bigger and has more power and boxing skills. The scoring in many British fights have been ridiculously in favour of UK boxers lately and it’s going to be hard for Baranchyk to get a win unless he stops Taylor or dominates him from start to finish. I’m going to go against the grain here and go with the underdog Baranchyk as I think he’s relentless and has all the tools needed to wear Taylor down in the later rounds.
I’ll go with an upset here as Baranchyk’s relentless.
Play: Baranchyk +405 @ BetOnline.ag
Check out my recent boxing betting picks to see my current form.
Ivan Baranchyk betting • Josh Taylor betting