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Josh Taylor becomes two-belt world champion after edging thriller against Regis Prograis


Prograis and Taylor contested a fight of the year contender (Picture: Reuters)

Josh Taylor is the new WBA (Super), IBF and The Ring super-lightweight champion after edging a thrilling contest with Regis Prograis.

The two champions exchanged equally and superbly in front of a packed O2 Arena, but the Scotsman did enough to gain the favour of two of the three judges, who returned 114-114, 115-113, 117-112 scorecards.

The fight started and ended at a break-neck speed, with non-stop action as Taylor found a home for his hooks and Prograis for his uppercuts.

Taylor raced into an early lead on the scorecards and appeared to hurt his rival in the first round after a flurry of left hands.

Taylor battled through a late scare to beat Prograis (Picture: Reuters)

Prograis managed to keep Taylor off him for the most part, thanks to his impressive head movement, but the London crowd was cheering every shot that landed on the American.

Taylor continued to find his mark in the third, but his efforts drew a defiant shake of the head from Prograis as he returned to his corner.

An uppercut that slammed through Taylor’s guard in the third set Prograis up well in the fourth, as he began to find an easy rhythm.

But Taylor came storming back in the fourth and the round ended with both men still firing off at the bell, such was the pace of the exchanges.

Taylor drew blood from Prograis’ nose in the fifth and by the eighth, the WBA (Super) champion had red streaming steadily from his nostrils.

While Prograis contended with his injured nose, Taylor had to overcome a swollen left eye. Taylor pushed Prograis back with counter hooks and thought he had his opponent rocked at the end of the ninth with two short rights.

Taylor celebrates with his new belts and Muhammad Ali trophy (Picture: Reuters)

Taylor could have felt he was ahead in the penultimate round, but continued to push the pace. A clash of heads, though, opened up a cut over the IBF champion’s swollen left eye.

The cut encouraged Prograis, who came out swinging in the final round. Taylor responded in kind and appeared to be hurt by Prograis’ right hooks, before the bell tolled.

Prograis shook his head in disappointment when the scorecards were read out, as Taylor also picked up the Muhammad Ali trophy as the winner of the World Boxing Super Series.

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