Prograis will get ‘planted’, vows Taylor
JOSH TAYLOR hit Regis Prograis with another flurry of verbal mockery on the eve of their world title unification bout — and said the American’s struggle to make the 10-stone limit for the super-lightweight clash leaves him open to being ‘planted’ at the O2 Arena tonight. WBA champion Prograis had to take off his shorts in order to tip the scales at just an ounce inside the limit for the division. And IBF belt holder Taylor, who weighed in seven ounces under, jumped on the chance to get
under the skin of an opponent he believes to be too cocky for his own good. ‘I made it easy, he looks like he’s on his feet, dead,’ said the Scot. ‘He’s getting planted. ‘I’m all good. I’m just ready to fight, nice and relaxed. I can’t wait to go and I can’t wait to do a number on this mouthpiece. ‘I can’t wait. I’m going to shut his mouth up. He’s going to sleep and he’s going to go back to America with his tail between his legs.’ Prograis insisted he hadn’t battled with his bulk before hitting the scales at the weigh-in, saying: ‘No, I wasn’t struggling at all. A miscalculation, but I’m good. I’m going to beat the c**p out of him.’
The pair were involved in a heated exchange after the weigh-in, with Prograis revealing: ‘We were cursing and we were swearing. ‘I’m saying I’m going to stop him, he’s saying he’s going to stop me. ‘I’m sure it’s going to be a bloody fight. Somebody’s going to have to throw the towel in because I’m going to stop him, guaranteed.’
Taylor, however, believes that a travelling Tartan Army can inspire him to new heights in London. The Prestonpans fighter is aiming to become the first Scot since the great Ken Buchanan to hold two versions of the world crown at the same time. The Ring Magazine belt is also on the line. ‘I believe there are loads of folk coming down from my area,’ said the former
Commonwealth Games gold medallist. ‘I don’t think there will be many folk left in the ’Pans, to be honest! ‘But it’s not just folk from Prestonpans. I’ve got loads of people coming down from Edinburgh, I’ve had folk from up north, from Aberdeen, Dundee, Perth and Glasgow, all over the place. ‘I’ve had messages from folk all over Scotland saying they’re coming down and, with Ricky Burns on the card as well, there’s going to be loads of us in London. ‘It’s going to be amazing to have a big Tartan Army there. I love being in front of a big crowd, under the lights in a big event. I thrive in that situation, so I can’t wait for it.’ On taking his place in Scottish boxing history, Taylor said: ‘It’s massive.
I’ve only had 15 fights, I’m world champion and I’m involved in a unification fight for the Ring Magazine belt, the IBF and WBA belts and the Muhammad Ali Trophy. ‘Prograis is a big name over there (in America) and is well spoken about, so the potential after this fight is super stardom. ‘I don’t think about how big the fight is. It’s just another day in the office.’