If you’re looking for a young, erudite words worth, elaborating over the finer points of his boxing make-up and fighting skills, then you won’t find it in Scotland’s Josh Taylor. What you will find is a steely determination in a man who firmly believes he is the best in the division.
You would imagine he will have to be at, or very close to his best in order to overcome American Regis Prograis in their super lightweight unification fight as the pair square off at the O2 arena on Saturday night for the WBA,IBF and Ring Magazine titles in one of the most eagerly anticipated fights of the year.
There’s a palpable tension and genuine intrigue surrounding this fight that has been billed as the best versus the best and it seems Josh Taylor cannot wait to prove he’s the number one. Taylor may only offer short answers to most of the questions that have been directed at him in the lead up to the fight, but they are no less resounding.
It just feels that the match-up has been a long time coming and now he is just ready to fight.
In the episode of ‘The gloves are off’ aired on sky sports, Taylor barely took his eyes off Prograis. In fact, he hardly blinked.
Juxtaposed against that was an altogether different demeanour presented by Regis Prograis. The American was calm, measured and was open to answering all questions at length. However, don’t be fooled, behind the relaxed persona lurks a dangerous and serious operator who insists he is not arrogant or cocky but says “I can’t see how Josh Taylor beats me”.
Key Battles
So where will this fight between two bright, young, unbeaten boxers be won or lost?
Style:
Taylor is a southpaw fighter with a strong, wide stance which gives him a good platform when launching that straight left backhand. It has a long way to travel especially against an orthodox fighter (not in this case) but can have a devastating effect. The Scot has a bit of everything in his repertoire and he loves a body shot. He also possesses that knockout potential but he’s equally adept at grinding out twelve rounds as he has a great engine. Will often fight on the outside and is expected to for this fight but is very tidy fighting inside should the need warrant it.
Prograis (a southpaw himself) can adapt well to different situations and styles and his been involved in plenty of fights that have enabled him to showcase this quality. He has exquisite movement, particularly his lateral movement in defence and likes to throw flurries of punches whilst up close. An extremely accurate counter puncher. Prograis may look to beckon Taylor in and counter punch.
Record:
Both obviously have an unbeaten record. Taylor has had less fights (15-0) but arguably some tougher tests against the likes of Barnachyk and Viktor Postol. Although Prograis has fought more (24-0) and interestingly will have faced 5 unbeaten fighters in his last 11 bouts when he takes on Taylor and has impressed in recent contests, including the impressive demolition of Britain’s own Terry Flanagan.
Attributes:
Taylor is taller with the greater reach, Has strong single punch power. You would assume he will be the stronger man between the two as he’s so big at the weight. Prograis has slick movement and probably a greater punch output in terms of number of punches thrown. Prograis is more adept at causing stoppage via cumulative effect of punches. Technically sound and very accurate with his timing.
Psychology:
Neither have buckled during the lead up and both have shown no real weakness, despite their different characteristics they are united by their own individual confidence. There’s a mutual respect which has become apparent through the lack of trash talking and the all too common personal jibes. Both know they are in a 50/50 fight. The only slight moment of success-if you can call it that-for Taylor was a moment during ‘the gloves are off’ where he referred to roughing Prograis up, explaining how he put Prograis in a headlock when bumping into him one evening. Prograis seemed rather annoyed that he was claiming an advantage over something that was clearly a playful moment. The fact that Taylor chuckled at the sight of Prograis defiantly denying the altercation was anything other than fun suggested that the anecdote had done it’s job. However that is as close as it has come to find any sort of creak in the mindset of either fighter and in all fairness it seems both are expecting to face a supremely confident opponent.
Who’s favourite?
Most bookies have it close but generally speaking the favourite is Prograis (6/10) with Taylor slight outsider (13/10). If you want a bet which represents good value then Taylor round 10 is 66/1 or stoppage rounds 7-12 is 10/1.
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