Josh Taylor unifies two titles, wins WBSS with victory over Regis Prograis
Regis Prograis was good. Josh Taylor was better.
Taylor defeated Prograis by a majority decision in a high-quality, competitive fight to unify two titles and win the 140-pound version of the World Boxing Super Series before a Taylor-friendly crowd on Saturday at the O2 Arena in London.
The scores were 114-114, 115-113 and 117-112, the first two being closer than the third to what actually happened in the ring. Boxing Junkie scored it 115-113 for the Scotsman.
“What a fight,” Taylor said afterward. “All respect to Regis Prograis but the best man won. I knew I was going to win.”
Neither fighter was able to separate himself from the other but Taylor dictated the action more often than not.
It was Taylor who pursued Prograis more than vice versa. It was Taylor who was the busier of the two, although not by much. And it was Taylor who landed more eye-catching punches to the head, as both did good body work.
Josh Taylor (left) and Regis Prograis had to work hard for everything they got on Saturday. Mark Robinson / Matchroom Boxing
Taylor probably landed more jabs, including double jabs that were particularly effective at times, but Taylor landed power shots more consistently. That, more than anything else, might’ve been the difference in the fight.
The contest was more of a boxing match between two highly skilled technicians than a brawl, although you wouldn’t know it by the fighters’ faces afterward. Taylor’s right eye was purple, cut and closed shut. Prograis, whose nose bled at times, also had a cut about his right eye.
Still, it was more about ability than punishment. Neither fighter was hurt in the fight, at least not significantly.
A number of the rounds could’ve gone either way, which made scoring difficult. Prograis would land his jab and one or two body shots and Taylor would respond in kind. Taylor would land a hard left or an uppercut to the head and Prograis would try to do the same.
Taylor (16-0, 12 knockouts) simply seemed to do a little bit more whether the fight took place inside or outside, even beating Prograis to the punch much of the fight. Hence, the scoring in his favor.
Prograis (24-1, 20 KOs) finished strongly, arguably winning the final two rounds, but it wasn’t quite enough for the American. He’ll have to go home, figure out what he could’ve done better and build toward another title shot.
Taylor let everyone know how he felt when the decision was announced. Matt Pover / Matchroom Boxing
“I thought it was pretty even to be honest,” the New Orleans native said. “… I thought I caught up (toward the end). I started timing him, started moving my head. He won. No excuses. The better man won.
“Thank you y’all, England. I’ll be back.”
Taylor now holds two of the four major junior welterweight titles and already has his sights set on more. Jose Ramirez, a gritty fighter from Central California, holds the other two. Taylor called out Ramirez in the ring.
“Let’s get it on Ramirez,” Taylor yelled. “Ramirez, where are you at? Let’s do it.”
Another option? A rematch. The fight at the O2 wasn’t a thriller – few ebbs and flows, no knockdowns – but it was a fine matchup of talented, determined young fighters that could’ve either way.