The staredown at the final press conference ended up a bit chatty but the time for talking is all but over ahead of a fight many are labelling the remedy to the influx of celebrity contests flooding the sport.
Describing it as a trade fight almost underplays the significance of this showdown but Saturday's monumental dust-up between Josh Taylor and Jose Ramirez has sweet science diehards salivating.
The stakes couldn't be higher as all four recognised world titles (WBA, WBO, WBC and IBF) are on the line as well the prestigious Ring Magazine crown that grants the winner lineal status in the 140lb division.
World Boxing Super Series kingpin Taylor and the undefeated Ramirez are the finest light welterweights on the planet and Scottish fight fans are watching on intently as the Tartan Tornado looks to cement his status as one of the world's best boxers.
It will be thrilling from start to finish and we have asked a host of fighters and boxing writers to weigh on what they think will happen when the opening bell rings in Las Vegas.
Fighters/Promoters
Kash Farooq
"I'm going with Josh Taylor by a close decision. I think his inside fighting will win him the fight."
Gary Jacobs
“I’m going for Taylor on points. It’s going to be a superb fight.
“It’s a unified title. Both of them are great champions but my heart is going for my fellow Scotsman. Taylor is just a better boxer but it’s close.”
Nathaniel Collins
"My opinion is Josh Taylor will be too fast for Ramirez. His hands and feet are just too quick so I am going for a late stoppage or a comfortable points victory."
Sam Kynoch
“I’m picking Taylor because I think he’s the more educated boxer. I’ve not seen as much of Ramirez but he looks tough, powerful and he’s a top-class fighter.
“I think it will be points or a late stoppage but probably points. It would be an unbelievable achievement for Josh and the Super Series has been the making of him with the scalps he managed.”
Callen McAuley
“I’m tipping Josh Taylor to win on points. I think that he will outbox him, his footwork and movement is different class.
“I don’t think Ramirez is as good with his footwork and Taylor will take advantage of that. He looks slower from the clips that I’ve seen but I think it’ll go the distance.”
Martin Harkin
"I think Taylor will win on points. Ramirez is a well established pro with plenty of amateur experience, been to the olympics and won all 26 of his pro fights. I think it will be a close fight with Taylor winning by two to three rounds.
Dean Sutherland
“I’m taking Taylor on points by four or five rounds. I think that Ramirez’s style suits Josh down to the ground but you never really know with the judges, especially in Las Vegas.
“I still think that he will get the decision on the cards and Josh is just an excellent boxer.”
Jimmy Stirling
“Taylor is going to win and I think he will stop the guy in the last few rounds.
“Taylor is a durable guy and he’s learned the hard way coming through at the Edinburgh club. I think he will win in the 10th or 11th round because he’s a great boxer.”
Writers
Michael Gannon
"If Taylor uses his movement, his southpaw and switch hitting styles, he can pepper Ramirez and get out of the way before trouble comes knocking.
"I’ve got a feeling we’ll see both. Taylor will be too slick for his rival in the first half of the fight and Ramirez will be forced to go gung-ho for a KO, dragging Josh into a slugfest.
"Taylor won’t be able to resist it either. Which might make us nervous but it will also make the fight an epic.
"Ramirez is unlikely to go down, but history awaits from our man from Edinburgh.
"Set the alarm and hold on to your seats, this will be a heck of a ride that will end up with Taylor’s hand being raised in the air."
Graeme Young
"I think Ramirez is a bit underrated but Taylor's deeper CV makes him the hot favourite. The win over Regis Prograis was exceptional.
"Big fights can often disappoint but the Tartan Tornado is incapable of being involved in a dull contest and this will be a thriller from start to finish.
"Taylor will be too much for his highly-talented foe and he will join modern British boxing legends Joe Calzaghe, Tyson Fury and Carl Frampton who also secured historic wins on American soil."
Euan Robertson
“I’m predicting Taylor to end the fight in the last three rounds. It’s two unbeaten boxers and Ramirez has a perfect 26-fight record so he’s a supreme operator.
“From the clips that I’ve seen, I think Josh moves around the ring better and he’s one of the most dynamic boxers that I’ve watched live. I’ll be getting up/staying up to watch him at 4am and let’s hope it’s the start of Scottish sporting success this summer.”
Boxing Social's Craig Scott
"While the odds favour Josh Taylor to win comfortably, I expect there to be some prickly moments for the Prestonpans-native. He wins on points, throwing himself into our top-three Scottish fighters of all time"
Craig Cameron from Gloves Red Podcast
"Josh Taylor will be drawn into a war by Ramirez but his superior technical ability and footwork ensures a points victory."
Final scorecards
Taylor 13 Ramirez 0
Ramirez vs. Taylor will stream live and exclusively in the UK on FITE for £9.99. Live coverage begins at 1:00 a.m. UK time.
