Josh Taylor crowned WBSS champion in O2 thriller

Josh Taylor was crowned the World Boxing Super Series Super Lightweight champion, after an enthralling points win against Regis Prograis at the O2 Arena.

Both men looked focused as the action got underway, and the opening round was a tense one, with neither man wanting to make a mistake, with the occasional flurry of engagement.

Prograis’ languid style kept Taylor guessing, but “The Tartan Tornado” was keen to make the American work. However, Progress looked comfortable enough as he switched styles in order to keep Taylor at bay.

The two were perfectly matched, with both having success close in. Taylor warmed to his task though, and after the tight affair continued into the eighth, the Scot took control to land some crucial blows to his fellow undefeated foe.

The final two rounds were what the tournament is all about, and the pair left it all in the ring as the contest went to the cards.

Scores of 117-112 and 115-113 saw Taylor home on a majority decision verdict, as the third verdict was a 114-114 draw.

The win for Taylor sees him crowned the new WBA (Super) and WBC Diamond Champion, as well as retaining his IBF Belt, and picking up the prestigious Muhammad Ali trophy and ring magazine belt.

Chisora blows away Price in four

Dereck Chisora took care of short notice opponent David Price inside four rounds, as he continues his heavyweight resurgence. Chisora won the WBO Intercontinental title as a result of his win.

Chisora was giving Price no room for manoeuvre from the off, and refusing to allow Price to utilise the good work he used against Dave Allen in his last contest in the early rounds.

The end of the third saw Price seriously wobbled, and, with Chisora going for the finish, an uppercut from Price on the bell shook the Finchley man to his boots.

A short right from Price again moved Chisora in the fourth, but the pair traded in absorbing action, and, after an accumulation of punches, with a clubbing right hand to the top of the head, Price was forced to the canvas. To the surprise of most, the towel from the Price corner came in as Price rose, calling a halt to the action.

Lee Selby diffused the threat of former three weight world champion, Ricky Burns, winning a majority decision win.

After a competitive opener, a short left hook in round two commanded Selby’s attention. Selby was slick in his efforts though, and worked off a relaxed style through the opening few rounds.

It was stop start stuff and Selby began to take control with his slick boxing skills, especially in the fifth; the pair came to blows when Burns landed a right hook way after the bell following a borderline late body shot from the Welshman.

Speed was always going to be an issue for the 36-year-old Burns, and Selby was picking off the Scot with relative ease coming up to halfway.

Burns looked like he was feeling the pace, and was doing his best to keep up with he pace as the rounds went on, whilst still being competitive.

Burns always comes to fight, and his ambition still burned brightly, as he came forward with intent in the ninth in what was becoming a war of attrition.

‘Rickster’ began to up the ante in the 11th in a last-ditch bid, but Selby was doing enough to keep his opponent at bay with his elusive skills.

The final round saw Burns try his best to make a difference, landing with chopping right hooks, but his opponent remained a mobile enough target to stay out of trouble, even in the face of a big, late right hand to see the fight go the cards.

Scores of 115-115, 116-112 and 116-113 were enough to see the Welshman home.

Lawrence Okolie became European Cruiserweight Champion with a seventh round stoppage win against the Belgian former holder, Yves Nagabu.

Okolie’s jab was solid enough, but he still found himself holding throughout the contest. Ngabu decided to up the tempo in sixth, but this would prove his downfall as he emptied his tank.

A left hook in the seventh began the end for Ngabu, and a follow up right shook him up, to the point that forced an intervention from the referee.

Okolie in post-fight reaction with proboxing-fans.com reporter Marc Gatford.

Full undercard results:

Conor Benn bt Stephan Jamoye- TKO

Abass Baraou bt John O’ Donnell- TKO – see post-fight interview below:

Denis Radovan bt Luke Blackledge- TKO

Austin Williams bt Miroslav Juna- PTS

Shannon Courtenay bt Melinda Habran- PTS – see post-fight interview below: