REGIS Prograis insists he is one of the best pound-for-pound fighters on the planet and will prove it by blitzing Scotland’s Josh Taylor during their world unification bout at the o2 in London next Saturday.

Despite a phoney war in the build-up where Prograis’ promoter Lou di Bella at one stage appeared to withdraw from the World Boxing Super Series, the Louisiana native arrived in the UK three weeks early and is taking nothing for chance ahead of the eagerly-awaited showdown which sees Taylor put his IBF super lightweight belt on the line as well as Prograis’ WBA title. The Ring magazine belt and the Ali trophy are also up for grabs in Greenwich on October 26 and Prograis is adamant that victory will see him given the respect he deserves.

“After this fight, I should be on the pound for pound list for sure,” Prograis told IFLtv. “Josh Taylor is the best in the world at 140lbs – behind me. This is two undefeated world champions in their prime - most of the time you don’t get this.”