It is tricky to imagine it has been three a long time because Regis Prograis fought tooth and nail with Josh Taylor in London, England and fell just quick, getting rid of a vast majority choice after 12 rounds. Considering that then, it is reasonable to say a large amount has took place in the entire world, just probably not in Prograis’ profession.
In simple fact, in the three many years that have followed that Taylor reduction Prograis has fought only a few instances. He fought and conquer Juan Heraldez in 2020 (stopping him in a few rounds), he fought and conquer Ivan Redkach in 2021 (halting him in six), and he fought and defeat Tyrone McKenna in 2022 (stopping him in six). In not one of people fights was Prograis ever unduly concerned or threatened, still neither did he establish substantially by beating any of those males, all of whom appeared a little bit out of their depth in his existence.
Hopefully now, while, with a battle from fellow southpaw Jose Zepeda scheduled for this Saturday (November 26) in Carson, California, Prograis is about to obtain the check he has been very seriously missing put up-Taylor. Absolutely, on paper at the very least, this (for a WBC super-light-weight belt) is the very best and most meaningful assignment the American has had due to the fact that time and, in Zepeda, he ultimately has an opponent who possesses the equipment and practical experience to with any luck , inquire him a dilemma or two.
A all-natural tremendous-lightweight, Zepeda has gained 35 of his 37 professional fights (27 within plan) and dropped only 2 times. His initial reduction arrived versus Terry Flanagan in 2015, when he was stopped because of to a slice in the next spherical, though the second was on a vast majority determination in opposition to Jose Ramirez, one of the best tremendous-lightweights in the planet, in 2019.
Other than that, Zepeda has been devoid of equivalent. He has solidified his standing as a primary tremendous-lightweight contender with wins around the likes Jose Pedraza, Ivan Baranchyk, Henry Lundy and Josue Vargas and has revealed – specially in opposition to Baranchyk, who dropped Zepeda four periods – an capacity to bounce again from adversity and prevail.
This will be essential, no question, from Prograis, a person whose total modus operandi is to drag opponents into deep drinking water and attempt to drown them there. Versus most, much too, this technique will work, with only Taylor so far ready to stick with Prograis and, even much better, pip him at the complete line.
Zepeda, it is accurate, will not only be the greatest opponent Prograis has faced because Taylor but probable be boosted by the simple fact he is preventing at home in California as effectively. However, be that as it might, one particular however simply cannot aid asking yourself how a year out the ring will effect the Californian southpaw (his gain against Vargas took area past Oct). Just one also miracles no matter whether Prograis has been waiting for a minute like this, and an opponent like this, in order to truly reveal what he can do and remind us all of his talents.
Now 33 (the two are the very same age), Prograis, 27-1 (23), evidently doesn’t have time on his side. He has squandered a reasonable quantity of it, via no fault of his own, and will presumably now search to make up for this in opposition to Zepeda on Saturday night time. With that in head, assume a Prograis choice acquire in a thrilling, shut battle.
Supporting Prograis vs. Zepeda in Carson is a seemingly properly-matched women’s light-weight-flyweight fight in between Nicaragua’s Yokasta Valle, 26-2 (9), and the unbeaten Evelin Nazarena Bermudez, 17–1 (6), from Argentina. Valle, the IBF and WBO minimumweight belt-holder, will be moving up in weight to problem Bermudez, who at present holds the IBF and WBO belts at mild-flyweight.
Also on the Carson undercard is a combat involving Charles Conwell, 17- (13), and Juan Carlos Abreu, 25-6-1 (23), over 10 rounds at tremendous-welterweight, as well as a 10-spherical heavyweight matchup amongst superb Kazakh prospect Bakhodir Jalolov, 11- (11), and Curtis Harper 14-8 (9), the gentleman who infamously exited the ring just before the very first bell of a 2019 bout towards Efe Ajagba.