By: Sean Crose
“I am so excited to welcome Regis to the Matchroom team,” promoter – and Matchroom honcho – Eddie Hearn mentioned in a stunning Saturday evening press launch. The Regis he was referring to was the one and solely WBC junior welterweight titlist Regis Prograis. “The 140lb division is fast becoming the most exciting in the sport,” Hearn continued, “littered with big names and glamour fights, so to have the WBC king in the team is a massive coup for us.”
The 28-1 Prograis had been a free agent for some time, which made him one of many hotter commodities within the sport of boxing. “Now it’s official – I am with Matchroom,” Prograis mentioned. “Over the last few weeks, I’ve been contemplating which move I should make next. I had a lot of good offers on the table. But I feel like Matchroom is the best for me. I just feel like it’s the right fit. From the beginning I had that gut feeling and it never left. I can’t wait to start this chapter in my career. I’ll be fighting Liam Paro in New Orleans on June 17. This is a dream come true.”
Suffice to say, the extensively unknown 23-0 Paro rightfully sees this as the chance of a lifetime. “I have been dreaming about fights like this my whole life,” the Australian contender mentioned. “What better way to make a mark on the 140lbs division than taking out the top guy. This is what it’s all about. I’m coming.” With that being mentioned, Prograis is clearly anticipated to win on the seventeenth of June. The press launch indicated his cope with Matchroom is long run, in spite of everything.
“Regis’ fights always promise action,” mentioned Hearn, “and along with his charisma and personality, there’s a perfect blend that makes him one of the most marketable and fan-friendly fighters – and one that has told me he only wants the biggest fights in the division – unifications and undisputed.” Hearn was additionally joyful to be selling Prograis-Paro on Prograis’ residence turf of New Orleans.
“I cannot wait to promote our first event in New Orleans,” Hearn mentioned. “It’s another city to add to the growing list of places we’ve put on events in the States, and with our new three-year deal with DAZN, you can expect more great locations and more big-name signings to build in those cities.”
Prograis’ final combat was an eleventh spherical knockout of Jose Zepeda again in November.
