The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
TAYLOR-MADE TITLE
Scot wins IBF belt and heads for unification showdown with Prograis in WBSS final
Josh Taylor achieved his dream of becoming world champion with a thrilling points win over Ivan Baranchyk in Glasgow on Saturday night and immediately moved on to his next goal.
The fight turned in the sixth round when the 26-year-old Belarusian was dropped twice by his Prestonpans challenger, who asserted himself to go on to win the IBF world superlightweight title on all three judges’ scorecards, by margins of 117-109, 115-111 and 115-111.
The clash at the SSE Hydro doubled as a semi-final in the World Boxing Super Series (WBSS) tournament, and Taylor will next face WBA champion Regis Prograis from the United States.
The exact date and venue is yet to be decided, but it is expected the unification clash will take place in September. The winner will take home not only the two title belts but also the Muhammad Ali trophy, which is awarded to WBSS winners.
Taylor, 28, who extended his unbeaten record to 15-0, said: “I want to win this tournament, unify the division and win that Ali trophy. This is another goal.
“Long-term goals, I want to become
undisputed champion, but that is obviously down the line.
“I have to fight Prograis in the final and I believe I will win it.
“I think it will be a very different fight. (The semi-final) was a more physical fight, I think the final will be more skilful, a more tactical fight because we are both smart fighters and intelligent in the ring. “I am 100% confident I am going to win this tournament so I am more than happy, wherever it is, to go and win the tournament outright.
“I don’t want to sound big-headed but I am not surprised that I am world champion because I have always believed in my goals and ability.
“It is brilliant to realise my dream; it is a goal achieved and now it is time to move on and win the tournament.”
Prograis, who watched from ringside, came into the press conference wearing a borrowed kilt and joined the top table.
He said: “It was a really good fight, but he will have to tighten it up. You can’t get hit like that by me. I told him that at the ring.
“I had it in my mind that it was going to be me and him (in the final) and I am pretty sure he said the same thing, so I can’t wait.”