For the first time in the history of professional boxing there will be a winner of a drawn fight if Josh Taylor and Regis Prograis are level on the judges’ cards at the end of their world light-welterweight title unification clash on Saturday night.

The battle between Scotland’s IBF champion Taylor and America’s WBA belt-holder Prograis is also the final of the World Boxing Super Series.

In the event of a draw at London’s 02 Arena a countback of what prize-fighting calls the championship rounds will decide the winner of that tournament, the Muhammad Ali Trophy and the $10 million cheque which goes with it.

If the judges cannot separate them – which is by no means improbable between this evenly-matched pair – those prestigious and enriching prizes will go to the winner of the 12th and last round. If that, too, is scored even the countback on the cards will continue through the 11th round, and so on.

That would not affect the world championship result. The initial draw would leave Taylor and Prograis retaining their belts, while The Ring magazine title would remain vacant.

But the 2019 Super Series regulation, applied because of the impossibility of an equally gruelling rematch before the end of the year, provides a huge incentive for both men to keep fighting flat out to the finish.

Good news for the packed 02 crowd and the television viewers on Sky Sports Box Office, albeit a demanding prospect for two world class fighters if either or both believe they are ahead in the judging.

THE REGIS PROGRAIS VS. JOSH TAYLOR FIGHT

The Ali Trophy final of Regis Prograis vs. Josh Taylor will take place at the O2 Arena in London.

REGIS PROGRAIS RECORD AND BIO

Name: Regis ‘Rougarou’ Prograis
Nationality: American
Born: Jan. 24, 1989
Height: 5’8”
Reach: 67”
Stance: Southpaw
Total fights: 24
Record: 24-0 with 20 wins via knockout

JOSH TAYLOR RECORD AND BIO

Name: Josh ‘The Tartan Tornado’ Taylor
Nationality: British
Born: Jan. 2, 1991
Height: 5’10”
Reach: 69½”
Stance: Southpaw
Total fights: 15
Record: 15-0 with 12 wins via knockout

REGIS PROGRAIS VS. JOSH TAYLOR FIGHT CARD

Regis Prograis vs. Josh Taylor; Ali Trophy, WBA Super, WBC Diamond, IBF & Ring Magazine super lightweight titles

Dereck Chisora vs. David Price; Heavyweights

Ricky Burns vs. Lee Selby; Lightweights

Lawrence Okolie vs. Yves Ngabu; EBU European cruiserweight title