Josh Taylor vs Apinun Khongsong – Who wins and why?
World championship boxing returns to BT Sport on Saturday, September 26 when Josh Taylor (16-0, 12KOs) defends his unified WBA and IBF super-lightweight belts against mandatory challenger, the unbeaten Apinun Khongsong (16-0, 13KOs) from Thailand, who is currently a 16-1 outsider – if you know how to bet on boxing then the odds could be worth a look.
BBN asked their panel of experts, made up of pro boxers, managers, trainers, writers, who they are picking to win:
Ben Davies
Global Boxing News Editor
"I believe Josh Taylor will win via stoppage.
Taylor will have one eye on a potential undisputed clash with Jose Ramirez next year, and will not want to slip up here against Khongsong. I feel this fight is probably a step too far for the Thai fighter, especially in unknown territory and level.
Will go with a fourth round knockout victory for Josh Taylor!"
Lee Cook
World record breaking referee
"Taylor has fought in much better company and always finds a way to win. Khonsong's opponents are not of the same class as Taylor's. Taylor by late stoppage or clear points win. There is always the unpredictability of not knowing much about Khonsong."
Kieran Gething
Welsh Area super-lightweight champion
"I can’t see anything other than a very dominant Taylor win, which will set up a big unification fight.
Taylor for me is top 5 in the world and really hope he does well!"
Tim Rickson
BBN Editor
"Khongsong is relatively unknown as he has only fought at regional level. Winning the IBF Pan Pacific super-lightweight and the Asian version and defending them a few times is how he earned his mandatory positon to challenge Taylor.
He has one notable victory over Japanese lightweight champion Akihiro Kondon (32-9-1, 18KOs), who once took Sergey Lipinets (16-1, 12KOs) the 12-round distance when challenging unsuccessfully for the IBF World super-lightweight title. Khongsong was drawing on the cards until he produced a stunning uppercut that ended the fight instantly in round five, and became the first opponent ever to inflict a stoppage on Kondon's record, which I find quite impressive.
He is rangy and clearly carries power, but stepping up to world level is going to be too big a leap for him at this stage, and Taylor should wear him down and gradually take him apart. I think Khongsong should be competitive and lively for the first few rounds, as he'll come in fit and sharp and eager to capitalise on the biggest opportunity of his career, but Taylor's superior ability and vaster experience at the highest level should begin to tell from rounds three or four onwards. I don't think he'll be a walkover because he had over 100 amateur bouts and there's a big buzz and expectations of him from Thailand. He's highly rated for a reason and was considered for the World Boxing Super Series which Taylor won.
I believe it will be dominant performance, culminating in a stoppage win for Taylor. It’s difficult to put a number on it because Khonsong’s chin has never been tested. Only three from nine have ever made it to the championship rounds with Taylor and they were current or ex world champions, therefore my prediction is that Khongsong won’t reach round 10."
Ben Day
Former Southern Ara super-lightweight champion
"I really rate Josh Taylor, I can see him staying as World champion a while.
I can see a Taylor stoppage in the later rounds."
Mitch Mitchell
Professional boxer
"I did see that Josh was defending this weekend. I've not seen much of his opponent, to be honest, but I rate Josh Taylor, he's a very tough man, strong southpaw and plenty of heart."
Paul Mason
Proboxing-fans.com
"Taylor will be keen to impress his American admirers and will look to put on a dominant display against the Thai.
Khongsong hasn't fought anywhere near the level of Taylor in his career and this surely will be step too far for him in East London.
The pick is for Taylor to solve the puzzle by halfway."
Dave Kuzio
bettingpro.com
"This will be a tough test for Taylor as Khongsong has won his last six fights by way of knockout – including former world title challenger Akihiro Kondo.
I'm going for the Scottish fighter to end this one in the fifth round."
Chris Glover
Professional boxer
"I think this is an easy fight for Josh to be honest. I can’t see past him winning via stoppage in the mid-rounds."
Tony Tolj
Australian manager & promoter
"Josh Taylor simply will have too many tools in the arsenal for the Thai challenger.
I think it will be exciting for a while then Taylor will dominate the tough Thai.
The only thing I can say for Khonsong is that he's backed by my dear friend Sampson Lewkowicz, who first discovered Manny Pacquiao, and he's on a hot streak at the moment.
But I will have to back Triple T and look forward to the Ramirez unification."
Dee The Hat
Professional boxing trainer
"I don’t know much about Khongsong, to be honest. And Josh Taylor is brilliant, the number one, so I think he should win conclusively. It will be interesting to see how the link up with Ben Davidson plays out too."
Polls
Josh Taylor to win: 100%
Apinun Khongsong to win: 0%