Why Taylor-Prograis WBSS final is a big night for British boxing
The O2 Arena in London hosts the final of the World Boxing Super Series light welterweight tournament on the night of October 26 with British interest still standing in the bracket.
Scottish southpaw Josh Taylor faces the biggest fight and challenge of his pro career so far with the Glasgow Commonwealth Games gold medallist looking to unify his IBF belt.
Taylor is unbeaten in the paid ranks with 12 knockouts from 15 professional bouts. However, so is his American opponent, the WBA (Super) and WBC Diamond light welterweight champ Regis Prograis.
The New Orleans native boasts an undefeated streak stretching over 24 fights (20 KOs) and is the favourite with bookmakers to win the tournament.
This is an away fixture for Prograis, however, after his World Boxing Super Series quarter-final and semi took place in his home state of Louisiana.
Influential boxing magazine The Ring will also recognise the winner of this bout as the undisputed world light welterweight champion.
While Prograis is odds-on 8/13 favourite with bet365 to win in London, Taylor is only 13/10 in the latest boxing betting on this World Boxing Super Series finale.
Despite being the underdog in the betting, Taylor is "very confident" he can outbox and outfight his vaunted foe and lift the Muhammad Ali Trophy.
Chisora preparing for Parker fight
Elsewhere on the card, an intriguing heavyweight encounter between Dereck Chisora and Joseph Parker adds extra excitement.
Both men have suffered recent losses to Dillian Whyte, but have bounced back with confidence boosting victories in subsequent fights.
This is home turf for Chisora, whose last five fights have taken place at The O2 and pro boxing record (31-9) is a little more chequered than New Zealand native Parker's (26-2).
The Kiwi holds a majority decision victory over Andy Ruiz Jr, the current unified world heavyweight champion. That's why Parker is odds-on at 1/2 to beat Chisora, who is 6/4.
Two losses to Whyte and as many to another British boxer in Tyson Fury are among the defeats suffered by Chisora.
His CV is just that little bit shaky in competitive fights and there looks to be greater scope for Parker, who is eight years younger.
Although Chisora is the underdog, he stressed he's wanted this particular fight for a while and brought a war of words against the quietly confident Parker.
Selby battles Burns in all-British lightweight bout
Welsh boxer Lee Selby clashes with Scotland's Ricky Burns on the undercard. The former enjoyed real previous success at featherweight, eventually losing the IBF belt to fellow British boxer Josh Warrington after four previous successful defences.
Selby has since bounced back from that second pro career defeat with a unanimous decision victory over Omar Douglas. He is 4/6 to beat Burns, but the Scot is 11/10 for this fight with 'The Welsh Mayweather'.
While Burns' record in the paid ranks (43-7-1) has a less attractive look to it, it would be folly to underestimate him. He is a former world champion in three different weight classes.
There are more miles on the clock with Burns four years older than Selby. All this means it promises to be a big night for British boxing.