🥊 The waiting is over for the WBSS Super-Lightweight Ali Trophy Final and it’s a Scotland v USA showdown as Josh Taylor and Regis Prograis collide at The O2. Tickets are on sale.
Two world champions, two unbeaten records, but only one can win the Ali Trophy Final. There’s an huge amount on the line for USA’s Regis Prograis and Scotland’s Josh Taylor as they come face to face under the bright lights at The O2.
Josh Taylor (15-0, 13 KOs) is the IBF super-lightweight world champion. With a calm to match his considerable boxing skills, Taylor stated in the build-up: “I am full of confidence, I think I am bigger than him, quicker than him, stronger than him, and I punch just as hard as him. If he walks onto a shot I can get him out of there or I can out-box him for the full 12 rounds.
“I am headlining the show down here, tapping into the British fans, so I can’t wait. Right now, I believe myself and Regis are the best two in the division, we are the guys to beat. And we are going to prove it on October 26. This is my time to shine and I am super confident.”
Meanwhile Regis Prograis (24-0, 20 KOs) has been in equally positive mood ahead of the showdown. “I am excited to come to London, most fighters don’t get this chance in a lifetime,” said the WBA super-lightweight world champion.
The New Orleans native is known as the ‘Rougarou’ – a werewolf-like creature of Louisiana’s folklore – and does not see the final as a 50-50 match-up. “Everybody always says they are going to beat me. Everybody says it was going to be a 50/50 fight but I blow everyone up. He is taller than me, he is longer than me, but you can’t determine my heart on the tale of the tape. And you can’t determine my IQ. Not to be cocky, but I can’t see him beating me.”
‘The Tartan Tornado’ against the beast from the bayou: strap yourselves for in for a 50/50 fight between two of the best fights on the planet.
Route to the final
Prograis and Taylor entered the World Boxing Super Series and the quest for the Ali Trophy as the two highest-seeded boxers in a loaded 140lb bracket.
No. 1 seed Prograis earned his spot in the final by outdoing Terry Flanagan on points last October, and then went on to stop Kiryl Relikh in round 6 and take the WBA World title in the semi in late April. Taylor, the second seed, stopped Ryan Martin in round 7 last November and then proceeded to decision Ivan Baranchyk to claim the IBF world title in May on his way to the final.
On a stacked bill the co-feature event is a heavyweight showdown between London’s Dereck Chisora and Joseph Parker from New Zealand. ‘WAR’ Chisora (31-9, 22 KOs) is targeting another explosive victory in his showdown with Parker (26-2, 20 KOS), a former WBO heavyweight world champion, as two exciting contenders collide in the Capital. ‘WAR’ Chisora is back at the scene of last month’s dramatic knockout triumph over Poland’s Artur Szpilka while Parker returns to Britain after back-to-back stoppages of Alexander Flores and Alex Leapai.
Also due in the ring are Scotland’s Ricky Burns and Wales’ Lee Selby who face off in a high stakes lightweight showdown that could mean the end of the road for the loser, and a potential world title fight for the winner.
Doors open at 5pm.
Tickets in advance are available via the ‘Get Tickets‘ link.
Tickets on the night subject to availability. A sell-out is expected. Checking the World Boxing Super Series Twitter feed before travelling is recommended.
Travel tips: Getting to The O2 via tube is highly recommended. North Greenwich station is right on the doorstep and on the Jubilee Line in Zones 2 and 3. Get there from Central London in 20 minutes, or Stratford in 10 minutes.