By: Sean Crose
He was 24-0 getting into the ring that evening in London. All however 5 of his fights had ended throughout the distance. What’s extra, the person’s Creole tinged accent and colourful Louisiana background made for good tv (a part of the explanation why he had been an HBO attraction). Best of all, Regis Prograis was preventing a significant opponent that evening – the 15-0 Josh Taylor – for the unified junior welterweight championship. Prograis held the WBC crown whereas Taylor held the IBF. The bout might nicely have been thought-about a toss up strolling in. Needless to say, Prograis walked out of the ring after the combat that evening along with his first loss on his file and with out possession of his WBC belt. He had fought nicely, however Taylor edged it.
In regular instances that may have been no large deal. In twenty first century boxing, nevertheless, a loss generally is a demise knell to at least one’s profession. In the UFC a defeat is a defeat, in up to date boxing it’s a blemish. Ridiculous, positive, however it’s what it’s. Apparently Rocky Marciano, Floyd Mayweather and a handful of others are the true greats. Names like Ali, Leonard, Pacquiao, Dempsey, Robinson, Louis and numerous others needn’t apply. Fortunately, Prograis has chosen to disregard this absurd narrative. Naturally, the person has continued preventing for the reason that Taylor bout, going 3-0, all by stoppage. What Prograis doesn’t seem to have executed, nevertheless, is let the lone L on his resume bend his psyche.
In the leadup to his combat this weekend with Jose Zapeda, Prograis has been straightforward going and assured. Even a menacing smile from Zapeda through the face off of this week’s closing press convention didn’t part the person. One would possibly suppose Prograis could be no less than just a little anxious in the intervening time, as his scheduled 12 rounder on the Dignity Health Sports park in Carson California this weekend is for the WBC junior welterweight belt. Here he’s, with an opportunity to as soon as once more have a inexperienced belt round his waist, and he’s merely being chill. That, nevertheless, is simply Prograis.
“I’m going to do my job on Saturday night,” he advised ESNEWS after the staredown with Zapeda. “That’s when I’m going to do what I’ve got to do.” No bells. No whistles. Just boxing. “That’s not me,” he stated of pre combat antics. “For the most part, I’m quiet. I don’t need to say nothing.” One factor is for certain, Prograis isn’t missing in confidence. “It’s going to be a twelve round dominant performance,” he stated of this weekend’s combat.
