For the second week in a row generally, and the second time in 2019 at Jr. welterweight, boxing will see a pair of undefeated fighters with belts risk their records and titles for a chance to be something more. 

While, unlike last week, the lineage of the divisional crown isn’t at stake, this will certainly get the world a step closer. After Saturday, there will be two men with four belts in the class. Jose Ramirez is the other titlist at 140 lbs.

They can only match up two at a time and this has been a World Boxing Super Series executed perfectly in the ring and with just enough nail biting outside to make just getting to this fight exciting (DAZN, 2 PM EST).

Let’s get into it. 

Stats and Stakes

Regis Prograis

Age: 30

Title: WBA super lightweight (2019-Present, 1st Attempted Defense)

Previous Titles: None

Height: 5’8

Weight: 139 ¼ lbs.

Stance: Southpaw

Hails from: New Orleans, Louisiana

Record: 24-0, 20 KO

Press Rankings: #1 (TBRB, Ring), #2 (ESPN, Boxing Monthly, Boxing News, BoxRec)

Record in Major Title Fights: 1-0, 1 KO (2-0, 2 KO including interim title fights)

Last Five Opponents: 121-4 (.968)

Current/Former World Champions/Titlists Faced: Julius Indongo TKO2; Terry Flanagan UD12; Kiryl Relikh TKO6 

Vs. 

Josh Taylor

Age: 28

Titles: IBF Jr. welterweight (2019-Present, 1st Attempted Defense)

Previous Titles: None

Height: 5’10  

Weight: 139 ½ lbs.

Stance: Southpaw

Hails from: Edinburgh, Scotland

Record: 15-0, 12 KO

Press Rankings: #1 (Boxing News), #2 (Ring, Boxing Monthly), #3 (TBRB, ESPN, BoxRec)

Record in Major Title Fights: 1-0 

Last Five Opponents: 139-9-5 (.925)

Current/Former World Champions Faced: Miguel Vazquez TKO9; Viktor Postol UD12; Ivan Baranchyk UD12 

The Case for Prograis: The Louisiana native got to this clash of southpaws with knockouts in eight of his last nine fights. Prograis sets up his offense off a stiff right jab and has a knack for making himself shorter as he comes forward. Prograis is quick handed, offsetting what can sometimes be and will be this weekend a disadvantage in arm length. Prograis goes to the body in combination and has shown explosive power there along with the ability to put men out with shots to the head. While his feet allow him to box and work the perimeter, Prograis is at his best when he can pursue, get close, make men miss with slick head movement, and then force opponents give ground. In a fight that may be contested often at close quarters, if Prograis can consistently be first he will have a chance to break Taylor down gradually.

The Case for Taylor: Taylor might not have some of the special effects Prograis shows off on offense but the 2012 Olympian is physically strong and fundamentally sound. Where Prograis can sometimes appear open coming in, Taylor keeps his defense compact and throws compact shots that could land first when Prograis wings wide. Taylor might be taller and have the edge in reach but he is comfortable at close range and has excellent footwork, able to plant his feet and whip shots to the head and body that are hard to see coming. If Taylor can hold his ground, and exploit Prograis’s aggression, he will have a chance to chop away and look for victory. 

The Pick: Like last week, this is a difficult fight to pick on paper. In the light heavyweight clash between Artur Beterbiev and Oleksandr Gvozdyk, the former proved too heavy handed, accurate and powerful. One man was able to impose his will. This could be a fight with more ebb and flow. The first man to land big could find themselves off to a quick start but it could be hard to hold that edge. Over the course of a long fight, Taylor’s tighter offense and ability to match Prograis’s body work could be telling. He’ll be punching down and between the shots of Prograis and able to block more of the incoming. The pick here is Taylor, in front a friendly crowd, to win a decision in a fight where both men may have to survive being hurt. 

Rold Picks 2019: 61-15

Additional Weekend Pick 

Shakur Stevenson Dec. Joet Gonzalez

Cliff Rold is the Managing Editor of BoxingScene, a founding member of the Transnational Boxing Rankings Board, and a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America.  He can be reached at roldboxing@hotmail.com