Taylor confident of knocking out Prograis in unification match-up
>> LONDON: Scotland’s Josh Taylor is “100 percent” confident he can knock out undefeated American Regis Prograis during the a superlightweight unification bout in London tonight.
Taylor won the IBF title in his last fight, while Prograis holds the WBA and WBC belts, with this bout also the final of the division’s World Boxing Super Series.
With an impressive record of 15 wins from 15 fights, including 12 knockouts, the Edinburgh-born boxer feels he can do the same against Prograis.
“I’m in the best shape I’ve ever been in,” said Taylor. “All these fights on the line are going to bring out the best of me.
“I don’t think he does anything better than me. I just want to get there and get it done now.
“100 percent I feel like I can knock him out there.”
Prograis remains the favourite for the bout and travelled to the United Kingdom over three weeks before the fight to adapt.
“I don’t think he’s better than me in anything, but he’s good,” said Prograis.
“Even before the [Super Series] tournament started I felt like ‘Josh Taylor is the best in the world at 140 pounds apart from me.’”
Meanwhile, Japan’s 2012 Olympic boxing champion Ryota Murata will make the first defence of his WBA middleweight title on Dec 23.
Murata reclaimed the championship on July 12, in a technical knockout of American Rob Brant, who had dethroned Murata last
October by unanimous decision.
The 33-year-old Murata will face ninth-ranked contender Steven Butler of Canada at Yokohama Arena. The 24-year-old Butler will be taking his first shot at a world title.
“I want to take the first step toward realising this dream I have,” Murata said.
“I want to concentrate on this fight and defeat my opponent without fail.” AFP/KYODO