Regis Prograis

Early Life and Amateur Career

 

Regis Prograis, born on January 24, 1989, in New Orleans, Louisiana, faced a challenging early life that shaped his future in boxing. Growing up in the Tremé neighborhood, known for its vibrant music scene but also for its hardships, Prograis found boxing as a way out of the difficulties that surrounded him.

 

The devastating impact of Hurricane Katrina in 2005 forced Prograis and his family to relocate to Houston, Texas. It was in Houston where his boxing journey truly began. The relocation proved to be a pivotal moment for Prograis, as he immersed himself in the city’s rich boxing culture. He trained rigorously, honing his skills and building the foundation that would support his professional aspirations.

 

During his amateur career, Prograis quickly made a name for himself. He compiled an impressive record, showcasing his prowess in the ring across various amateur competitions. His style, characterized by agility and powerful left-handed strikes, set him apart from his peers. Prograis won the 2009 Ringside World Championships, marking a significant achievement in his amateur career. This victory was not just a display of his talent but also a testament to his hard work and dedication to the sport.

 

Professional Career

 

Regis Prograis embarked on his professional boxing journey in 2012 and quickly made a name for himself in the sport. By 2015, he had been highlighted by ESPN as a potential Prospect of the Year, and his prowess in the ring was recognized by USA Today and Yahoo Sports, cementing his status as a legitimate contender for world titles. Managed by Lou DiBella, Prograis’s career trajectory showed great promise. A significant milestone in his career came when Prograis fought on the undercard of the Keith Thurman vs. Shawn Porter bout at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. This event was noteworthy as it marked the return of primetime boxing to CBS for the first time in over 40 years.

 

In 2018, Prograis was announced as one of the eight contenders in the light welterweight World Boxing Super Series. As the top seed, he chose to fight former WBO lightweight champion Terry Flanagan, defeating him by unanimous decision on October 27, 2018, at the Lakefront Arena in New Orleans. Prograis scored a knockdown in the eighth round and secured the victory with judges scoring the fight 117–110, 118–109, and 119–108. Advancing in the tournament, Prograis next faced WBA super lightweight champion Kiryl Relikh on April 27, 2019, at the Cajundome in Lafayette, Louisiana. Prograis dominated the bout, leading to a sixth-round knockout victory, with all judges scoring every round in his favor until the stoppage.

 

The final of the World Boxing Super Series took place on October 26, 2019, at The O2 Arena in London, where Prograis went up against IBF and The Ring super lightweight champion Josh Taylor. In a closely contested match, Taylor edged out a victory by majority decision, with two judges scoring in his favor and one judge scoring it a draw. Prograis returned to action against Juan Heraldez on October 31, 2020, and secured a third-round technical knockout. He continued his winning streak by defeating Ivan Redkach on April 17, 2021, although the fight ended in a technical decision after an accidental low blow stopped the fight prematurely.

 

On March 19, 2022, Prograis scored another victory against Tyrone McKenna by sixth-round technical knockout. Later that year, he faced Jose Zepeda for the vacant WBC light welterweight title, stepping in after Jose Ramirez withdrew from the bout. Prograis won the title by an eleventh-round knockout on July 22, 2022, at the Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California.

 

In 2023, Prograis was scheduled to defend his title against Liam Paro, but an injury led to Paro’s withdrawal, and Danielito Zorrilla stepped in as the replacement. Prograis successfully defended his title by split decision on June 17, 2023, at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans. Later that year, he faced undisputed lightweight world champion Devin Haney on December 10, 2023, at the Chase Center in San Francisco, where he lost by unanimous decision, relinquishing his WBC Super Lightweight Title.