When it comes to unification matchups, fight fans have been spoiled for choice recently.
In September, Errol Spence added the WBC welterweight title to his IBF version when he outpointed Shawn Porter in Los Angeles. The pair threw down for 12 rounds at a ferocious pace and turned in what is sure to be a “Fight of the Year” contender.
Earlier this month, Artur Beterbiev came of age when he wrenched the WBC light heavyweight crown from Oleksandr Gvozdyk in Philadelphia. Beterbiev, who entered the bout as IBF champion, wore his man down to the body and closed the show emphatically in Round 10.
And the best is yet to come.
On Saturday, WBA junior welterweight titleholder Regis Prograis and IBF counterpart Josh Taylor collide in an all-southpaw battle at the O2 Arena in London. Like Spence vs. Porter, this bout is eagerly anticipated. Like Beterbiev vs. Gvozdyk, both fighters will enter the ring with unbeaten records.
However, the stakes in Prograis vs. Taylor are even higher.
On the line in this World Boxing Super Series final is the Muhammad Ali Trophy, the vacant Ring Magazine championship at 140 pounds, both world titles and possible inclusion in the mythical pound-for-pound ratings.
And the fight itself is of the highest caliber.
In October of last year, Prograis, who is rated No. 1 by The Ring at junior welterweight, scored a dominant 12-round unanimous decision over former WBO lightweight titleholder Terry Flanagan in the tournament quarterfinals. The New Orleans star followed that with a brutal sixth-round stoppage of the habitually durable Kiryl Relikh to claim the WBA belt in April.
“I definitely don’t see me losing this fight,” said Prograis (24-0, 20 knockouts) when asked about the Taylor showdown. “Do I knock him out? I don’t know, but I definitely don’t see me losing.
“It’s a dream come true to fight for The Ring belt. I’m definitely going to celebrate when I win that one. For me, it’s just business, and I do it every single day. I’m always in the gym.”
In May, Taylor, who is rated No. 2 by The Ring, outclassed highly rated American Ryan Martin en route to a shuddering seventh-round stoppage. For an encore, the quick-fisted Scotsman scored a 12-round unanimous decision over Ivan Baranchyk to lift the IBF title in the semifinals.
“I think I’ve got the beating of (Prograis),” said Taylor (15-0, 12 KOs). “I think I’ll outbox him, outmaneuver him and outsmart him. Prograis has got a hard night on his hands, that’s for sure.
“I never thought I’d be involved in unification fights so soon. I have the opportunity to become unified champion and get The Ring Magazine belt and the Muhammad Ali Trophy as well. That’s a lot of hardware.”
So, who wins? Well, this matchup elicits the most reticent fight predictions in recent memory. For The Ring “Fight Picks” feature, which appears on RingTV.com, 20 experts were split right down the middle: 10 picks for Prograis, 10 for Taylor. And of the industry insiders who contributed, very few were confident that they were making the correct call.
That’s when you know you have a great fight. When Sugar Ray Leonard faced Thomas Hearns in 1981, experts were changing their opinions on a daily basis. The quality on both sides was undeniable, and when the opening bell rang in that unification matchup, both men delivered in a fight for the ages.
On Saturday, fight fans will witness a rare occurrence — two young, unbeaten world champions in their absolute prime will collide in a battle for supremacy. Don’t miss Prograis vs. Taylor plus undercard action live on DAZN.
Tom Gray is an associate editor for Ring Magazine. He is based in the U.K. and will be ringside in London for the Prograis-Taylor card.