Boxing preview: Regis Prograis vs Josh Taylor

On Saturday night, two of the fighters in the junior-welterweight division square off in Regis Prograis and Josh Taylor. With two title belts on the line as well what many consider supremacy for the division.

Alongside the main-event, Dereck Chisora looks to continue his strong form against a resurgent David Price.

Prograis vs Taylor:

New Orleans native Prograis comes into this fight with an impressive 24-0 record, knocking out 20 of his fallen foes. The American went on a rampant run, winning all of his early bouts before stepping into the World Boxing Super Series tournament.

Winning a decision over Terry Flanagan before capturing WBA gold in his following fight against Kiryl Relikh in the semi finals, Prograis now sees Taylor as his final obstacle to solidify his meteoric rise.

Standing across the ring will be Josh Taylor – the 28-year-old Scottish fighter has shown immense promise since turning pro. A winner of the Commonwealth games in both 2010 and 2012, he also fought in the Olympics but came up short against Italian fighter, Domenico Valentino.

Since his decision to turn professional, he won the junior Commonwealth title in 2016 and retained it in 2017. He followed that up with a highly anticipated prospect vs prospect match against Ohara Davies, which he dominated. Like the opponent he faces on Saturday night, Taylor competed in the WBSS tournament, also winning a world title in the semi-final.

The fight between the two promises to be nothing short of entertaining. Both are undefeated and both are entering their athletic primes. Prograis is a fighter who enjoys the action most when he is able to flow freely with his offensive skill, although, Taylor will be his toughest opponent yet. The Scott is a very complete fighter and is being touted as the biggest threat that Prograis can fight at the moment.

The American has openly said he feels that Taylor is defensively flawed whilst the Scottish fighter feels his offensive game could cause a chink in Prograis’ armour.

There is little doubt about what each fighter brings to the table but more-so, who can truly impose their will on the other?

Chisora vs Price:

This fight is one that few expect to see the judges scorecards. Both are heavy handed, both can turn the lights off. Dereck Chisora is massively popular amongst the British fans, a somewhat surprising change considering his controversial past. ‘WAR’ Chisora is a man that doesn’t need much introduction, the 35-year-old has been around and has fought some of the best from Vitali Klitschko to Tyson Fury to David Haye to Dillian Whyte.

Now training under his former rival, David Haye, Chisora has bounced back from his defeat to Dillian Whyte with back-to-back wins over Senad Gashi and Artur Szpilka, with his last win coming via devastating knockout, the 22nd of his career.

Stepping in for Joesph Parker, Liverpool’s David Price like his opponent, has been around for some time. The 36-year-old was a much hyped prospect when he first broke out following his bronze medal win at the 2008 olympics, however, he never quite hit the heights expected of him.

Back-to-back KO losses against Tony Thompson derailed him for some time, although, in recent fights the heavyweight has bounced back. Winning his last three fights, Price is now looking at a run to bigger and better things, if he can pull off what many would consider an upset against Chisora.

Given that Price has long had doubts about his chin and about his stamina, Chisora comes into this fight as the heavy favourite. However, in the land of the heavyweights, one punch is all it takes. Price has just as much a chance to end this as Chisora does. A win here propels either man into a top-tier fight, an intriguing incentive for both corners.

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