Josh Taylor’s WBSS Ali Trophy final opponent Regis Prograis told the crowd at the SSE Hydro he’d be willing to fight the Scot in Glasgow before backtracking somewhat in the post-fight press conference.
Taylor defeated Ivan Baranchyk on points in his semi-final, winning the IBF super lightweight world title in the process.
The Edinburgh boxer now fights Prograis in the final and is gunning for the New Orleans’ native’s WBA belt.
The American, who gate crashed the presser wearing a kilt after entering the ring at the end to address the fans, seemed less enthusiastic about the idea of fighting in Scotland, presumably once the adrenaline of being in the ring and Taylor’s win had worn off.
“That was an excellent performance from Josh Taylor,” Prograis said. “He still took a lot of punches that he wasn’t supposed to take – but it was a great performance.
“And it was a terrific atmosphere, man. The Glasgow crowd was awesome. I can’t wait to face him.
Josh Taylor - world title win a 'weight off the shoulders' after beating Ivan Baranchyk
“I know I said in the ring that maybe I would come back here … but we’ll see. Maybe it would be better in the States.
“Because, while Josh has a big fan base, I’ve got a big support back home, too. So let’s see what we can do.
“I always thought it would be me against Josh in the final. Right back when we went to Moscow at the very start to do the pairings, I always felt like it was going to be me and him.
“We’re the best two in the division, by far. So we were always going to be the last two standing.
“I see ways I could hurt Josh, of course. It’s always different when you get in there! But I look at him and see ways I could beat him. I’m going to say that.
“He took a lot of big shots from Baranchyk – but I hit a lot harder than Baranchyk.”
Prograis was also asked about his Ju-Jitsu hobby. “I’m still doing my Ju-Jitsu,” he replied. “It’s not about making me stronger for boxing or anything like that.
“I just like doing it, to be honest. I just want to be a dangerous mother f****r. So I do it to be more and more dangerous than I already am!”
Taylor himself expects Prograis to present a completely different challenge to Baranchyk. “The fight against Regis is a very different one,” he said.
“The one against Ivan was a more physical fight and against Regis I think it will be more skilful and tactical because we’re both smart ad intelligent in the ring but I’m 100 per cent comfortable I can win this tournament.
“He will be the same, we’re both winners and have the same mentality but I’m going to win that fight and that Ali Trophy.”
As for when and where it will take place, Comosa AG’s chief boxing officer Nisse Sauerland remained non-committal. “We’re looking at September time for the final,” he said. “The venue will be a big decision but of course it will be where it makes most commercial sense.”
Find more boxing content on Edinburgh Live here.
