It's things like this that make me want to quit following boxing. A fighter saying he's going to KO his opponent! And repeating that self same answer each time he's asked about the fight. Outrageous....
Don't think it's nerves necessarily. He's always like this. The guy is clearly a massive jerk. Personally I've held a bit of a dislike for him ever since the Ohara Davies fight, what with the lack of magnanimity he displayed in the aftermath (it's not like I'm a big OD fan either FTR!). Gotta admit that Taylor is an excellent fighter though - potentially Brit p4p #1 imo. I get the impression that most yank pundits have yet to catch on to how good he actually is, judging by how the majority I've seen have been picking Prograis seemingly without a second thought (Kellerman barely even acknowledged Taylor's existence). Super tough fight for both guys. I pick Taylor by close decision, but since he's a wanker I will likely be rooting for Regis on the night.
Yeah all very fair, and I agree totally - the US fans are totally sleeping on Taylor but then I think a lot of UK fans are sleepign on Regis, I think its a VERY competitive fight... one of the most competitive fights this year, and as a treat its a very high level one too. Well, that's what I'm anticipating and I look forward to seeing how it pans out. Taylor definitely has a lot going for him in it, so that irks me but it also means that a Prograis victory would be that much sweeter - I am a fan of Prograis and this would be a HELL of a win, even if his own fans don't realise how significant it would be.
TOM GRAY: TAYLOR SD I picked Taylor to win the WBSS and I’m sticking to it as we enter the final. The Scotsman has wonderful skills, juxtaposed alongside toughness, spite and punching power. There is no question that Prograis is Taylor’s most formidable opponent to date. The American is an excellent technician, who matches Taylor for hand speed and power. However it’s Taylor’s foot speed and distance control that are likely to get him over the line. I don’t foresee a shootout, a knockout or even a knockdown. I envision 12 rounds of high-quality combat and it will be a joy to watch. This is just the beginning for both men. MICHAEL WOODS: PROGRAIS SD The winner, with a solid outing, could be getting more pound-for-pound talk. Hey now – another coin flip fight! I may be inclined to give Regis more love because of familiarity, as I contemplate the comparison of assets. Both men are stepping up, will see skill sets a notch above anything they’ve dealt with. Expect even rounds, a split decision…Prograis by a hair. MARTY MULCAHEY: TAYLOR UD Josh Taylor and Regis Prograis are two boxer/punchers entering the fight on equal highs, given the WBSS format. The small things and intangibles will make the difference. I lean toward Taylor, given the fight in his territory and Taylor holds advantages in height, reach and bigger overall build. More importantly Taylor knows how to use these advantages. Key, for me, is the composure Taylor showed deconstructing the bullying style of Ivan Baranchyk in his last outing. Yes, Prograis is much better and quicker but I don’t see Prograis sustaining pressure on Taylor, whose feet are undervalued. Taylor has bested a wider array of styles and his movement will cause hesitation in a Prograis, who thrives when in rhythm. Much like the Errol Spence-Shawn Porter fight, Prograis lands some big shots but is unable to outbox Taylor, who maintains distance picking him apart for a unanimous decision win. ANSON WAINWRIGHT: TAYLOR MD Two terrific fighters and competitors. Another tough fight to pick, I’ve gone back and forth on this one. Ultimately I can’t see Prograis winning on the road in what is perceived as Taylor’s backyard. It will be difficult for Prograis to separate himself enough in a close fight to win. Both guys will have their moments but Taylor will win a hard-fought majority decision. GARETH A. DAVIES: PROGRAIS SD This content is protected This content is protected Taylor vs. Prograis is a genuine 50/50 pick ’em fight. There is little to separate the two men in terms of how they have performed as they stepped up, in their respective styles, and in the unshakeable self-belief they both have in the ring and as men. If I have to crawl off the fence, I am going to pick Prograis based on the explosive power he possesses, which can change the course of a fight. Prograis may put Taylor down. For me, Taylor can be drawn into a war, in spite of not needing to do so, being highly skilled and technical. But this will be a war and unless Taylor imposes himself – which he may do – Prograis ekes a razor-tight decision. It would not surprise me if it were controversial too. Prograis, victor by split points decision. NORM FRAUENHEIM: PROGRAIS UD It might be the toughest fight to pick this year. That might make it ‘Fight of the Year.’ Josh Taylor, a Scotsman, has momentum. He has power. And he’ll have the crowd at O2 Arena but does he have enough in his skill set to counter all that Prograis can do and does? Over 12 rounds, Prograis will throw a lot of different looks and punches from different angles, all enough to take control in the later rounds of a fight he wins in a close yet unanimous decision. BOXING INSIDERS MIKE ALTAMURA (MANAGER): TAYLOR UD Great fight between two high-class southpaws. Taylor is technically more polished but Prograis is definitely the more physical in the fight. If Taylor can nullify Prograis’ strength inside, I see him edging a tightly contested bout. JOSE RAMIREZ (WBC/WBO JUNIOR WELTERWEIGHT TITLIST): PROGRAIS PTS I think it’s a very tough fight for both fighters. I think it’s a very competive fight, two different styles and we’ll see who is the better man that night. I think Prograis is the hungrier fighter of the two but I think Taylor is the more technical. I’d be delighted to fight either one of them in the near future, so we can put all the titles on the line to have an undisputed champion in 2020. It’s a 50/50 fight. I’m going with Prograis, I think it’s definitely going to go the distance. DUKE MCKENZIE (FORMER THREE-DIVISION TITLEHOLDER/TV ANALYST): TAYLOR UD Prograis and Taylor is a mouth-watering fight. I’m hard-pushed to pick a winner. I like Prograis; he does more right than wrong but the smart money has to be Taylor, who looks like he’s at his peak now. Taylor is very intelligent; he picks his punches well. Let’s hope this fight doesn’t end via cuts. I think Taylor wins a unanimous points decision. KATHY DUVA (PROMOTER, MAIN EVENTS): PROGRAIS UD Prograis-Taylor is such a good fight but I think that Prograis might be a bit more technically proficient at this point. Taylor will certainly bring it and so the fight should go the limit, with Prograis willing a close unanimous decision.
RICKY HATTON (FORMER TWO-DIVISION WORLD TITLIST/TRAINER): PROGRAIS PTS This is a tough one to call. They are both unbeaten with a great knockout rate. It’a genuine 50/50 fight and potentially one of the best fights for 2019. Prograis has an impressive record of wins at the top level but Josh has shown he is world-class as well in his recent fights. London is almost home advantage for Josh and that could be a big factor with the judges but I’m going for Prograis by points. CAMILLE ESTEPHAN (PROMOTER, EYE OF THE TIGER): TAYLOR UD I believe it will be close, hard-fought rounds. I believe Taylor is the man to beat currently in the division. I think Taylor by unanimous decision. RONNIE SHIELDS (TRAINER): PROGRAIS I’ve known Regis for a very long time, even before he turned professional. He’s a good kid; he’s a strong fighter and very confident fighter. It’s going to be tough for Josh Taylor because Regis is walking through guys right now. I think, right now, he’s going to be too strong for Josh. Josh is a good fighter in his own right. I just think it’s Regis’ time. SERGIO MORA (FORMER WORLD CHAMPION/COMMENTATOR): PROGRAIS PTS I’ve been looking forward to this one some time now. Both southpaws are high IQ fighters. I really like Taylor’s skills but I like Prograis by decision. It’ll be competitive until the end. VADIM KORNILOV (MANAGER): TAYLOR I think that it’s a very competitive fight. We had Postol fight Taylor; he is very strong and technically sound. Prograis also has great punching power. I think it’s a 50/50 fight but would give Taylor the edge. FRANCIS WARREN (PROMOTER, QUEENSBERRY PROMOTIONS): TAYLOR It’s going to be a great fight. I watched Prograis live vs. Flanagan in New Orleans and he was very impressive. Strong, aggressive and very clever inside. Picks his shots well. Taylor is in for a long night if he gets into a brawl but if he boxes like we all know he can and doesn’t get drawn in to a scrap, I fancy him to come out on top via a close decision. Keep it long and off the jab. MICHAEL AMOO-BEDIAKO (TRAINER): PROGRAIS PTS This is a very interesting fight, two southpaws, which takes away both of their advantages. I like Josh Taylor a lot. He’s very well-schooled and has a great style albeit when he fights orthodox fighters, good amateur background aligned with a very good trainer in Shane McGuigan, who will always bring him ready with an excellent game plan. Regis Prograis, to me, is a little bit more rugged but has that much more experience and is very confident in his own ability. He seems unfazed no matter who’s in front of him and has that patience about him to pick his shots well without wasting a lot of energy. He totally out-boxed Terry Flanagan, another southpaw, which I think gives him the slight advantage in this fight. I think it’s a very close fight but I take Prograis on points as he just has that little bit more experience and this fight may have just come a bit too soon for Taylor but a very close fight. RICK MIRIGIAN (MANAGER): PROGRAIS TKO I think Prograis stops Taylor late and overwhelms him with physicality and heart. Prograis has a better resume so far, more fights and there is no substitute for heart. Then he comes back to the USA and gets knocked out and gives (Jose) Ramirez both belts – we don’t want the the fake ones; (Prograis) can keep those for his house or give to Dereck Chisora for Christmas – next year and retires and opens an alligator farm in New Orleans. STEPHEN EDWARDS (TRAINER): TAYLOR SD This is a tough fight to call. Prograis is really clever with his pressure. He also throws hard, straight, short punches that do more damage than people realize. He has solid defense for an offensive fighter. Taylor, in my opinion, is struggling to make weight. There is a look to his body that I don’t like but I am very high on Taylor. My gut feeling tells me Taylor will move his feet more than we expect and get the nod in a tight, controversial, draw-ish type of fight. Don’t be surprised if this is a draw but my official pick is Taylor by split decision. WAYNE MCULLOUGH: (FORMER WORLD CHAMPION/TRAINER): TAYLOR PTS Interesting fight with both unbeaten and also southpaws. Prograis likes to be aggressive, which should suit Taylor. Prograis has a good straight left and hurtful left shot to body, so Taylor will have to be aware of that and block them with his right elbow nice and tight to his body with his hand covering his head, then come straight back with a straight left to the head or body or a right hook to the head or body of Prograis. If he can do this and hurt Prograis, he will control the fight and box his way to a close points win. Tough fight either way. FINAL TALLY 10-10 This content is protected This content is protected
This seemed on point: NORM FRAUENHEIM: PROGRAIS UD It might be the toughest fight to pick this year. That might make it ‘Fight of the Year.’ Josh Taylor, a Scotsman, has momentum. He has power. And he’ll have the crowd at O2 Arena but does he have enough in his skill set to counter all that Prograis can do and does? Over 12 rounds, Prograis will throw a lot of different looks and punches from different angles, all enough to take control in the later rounds of a fight he wins in a close yet unanimous decision.
I know who would of thought lol.Meanwhile I see Chisora is up to his old tricks.BBC reported he's apologised for his comment about Murdering Price. in light of recent events he's probably been told to apologise and stop being a dick.
I don't know anything about Prograis but I've seen enough of Taylor.I know he's had plaudits for his skill and aggression but we should remember how green he still is?I didn't want him anywhere near Postal after so few fights and my fears were well founded.Scores won't tell you anything but Postal lit Taylor up for a large percentage of the fight,that said it was impressive how Taylor came on late to seal the win. I know styles make fights but how would Prograis fare against Postal? I'm hoping he's learned from that fight.Read an article from the owner of the gym that Taylor wandered into aged 16 and he said it was clear he had talent but he wouldn't always listen to advice and just wanted to knock everyone out. I think there has been some hype about Taylor as he's not like most orthodox British fighters but win or lose folk need to rein it in a bit imo as he's still learning albeit fast tracked. If it's a genuine 50/50 like last week and the predictions would suggest this?we could be in for a treat.
He has many strings to his bow One thing he isn't though is a filthy perv like Roy and Nacho and all those other sexual deviants who ogle her baps This content is protected This content is protected This content is protected