Josh Taylor edges out Regis Prograis in epic battle

Josh Taylor sensationally sealed a majority decision win over Regis Prograis to become the unified WBA, IBF and Ring Magazine super-lightweight champion of the world.

The victory also sees Taylor take home the Muhammad Ali trophy after being crowned the winner of the World Boxing Super Series tournament.

In a fight of the year candidate, the two world class operators went to battle in a captivating 36 minutes of fighting.

Despite a strong start from the American Prograis, Taylor fought-back in the middle to late rounds to conquer the war of attrition.

No feeling-out process was going to take place as it took no time for the two to share close-quarters. Both got down to business instantly, regularly working the head and body of the other with varying success.

Widely regarded as the two best in the 140-pound division, it was no surprise to see the early stages nip and tuck. Prograis had the initial success though – the uppercut began sneaking through the guard of Taylor and his relaxed, fluid style was causing the Scot issues.

But the ‘Tartan Tornado’ continued to test the metal of the relatively unproven and untested New Orleans man. Imposing his physical strength, Taylor pushed Prograis back, clawing his way back into the fight and on the scorecards.

In what was quickly becoming a bruising encounter, the two were forced to display their incredible chins with neither willing to concede ground. The pair dug their feet into the canvas and went to war inside the square circle.

The final bell rang and the packed-out O2 Arena rose to their feet following a brutal yet epic battle. They had just witnessed two elite fighters, the cream of the super-lightweight division, pour everything they physically and mentally had into those 12 rounds.

Bloodied and battered, the pair had war wounds to show for.

But it was Taylor who the judges thought edged the fight, much to the delight of the Scottish contingent that made the trip south.

The scorecards read: 114-114, 115-113, 117-112

A brilliant fight, a fight that epitomised all that’s good with boxing. With the sport shattered by deaths in recent times, the bout between Taylor and Prograis was certainly a worthy battle in tribute of those late warriors names.

Other results on the card:

Derek Chisora TKO 4 David Price

Lee Selby MD Ricky Burns

Lawrence Okolie TKO 7 Yves Ngabu

Conor Benn TKO 4 Steve Jamoye

Shannon Courtenay UD Jasmina Nad

Abass Baraou TKO 6 John O’Donnell

Austin Williams UD Miroslav Juna

Denis Radovan RTD 5 Luke Blackledge