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Prograis Eyeing Unification at 140 Next, Puello, IBF Winner
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BY SEAN NAM
Published Thu Jan 12, 2023, 10:24 AM EST
Regis Prograis figures he may as well try to unify his division if none of his mandatories are willing to step up to the plate.
The newly crowned WBC 140-pound champion from New Orleans recently became the focus of business politics, when a proposed fight with former champion Jose Ramirez fell through after Ramirez balked at the terms of the purse split, which was 65-35 (as determined by the WBC) in favor of the champion, Prograis.
Prograis, who lives and trains in Houston, will likely run into the same problems if he tries to schedule a match with the next contender on the WBC rankings, Teofimo Lopez. Like Ramirez, Lopez is promoted by Top Rank and his team would most likely not agree to the purse split. Top Rank, moreover, refuses to do business with Probellum, the upstart promotional company that backs Prograis because they believe the company has ties to alleged Irish drug cartel boss Daniel Kinahan. Probellum has repeatedly denied the accusations.
That has left Prograis scratching his head as to what his future will hold. Recently, the WBC decreed that they would allow Prograis to have his own voluntary defense in response to Ramirez’s withdrawal.
Given his unsavory experience with Ramirez, Prograis tentatively floated the idea of looking to unify belts. Alberto Puello of the Dominican Republic currently holds the WBA 140-pound title. The IBF title is vacant. The WBO is held by former undisputed champion Josh Taylor; the Scotsman is headed toward a rematch with Jack Catterall, reportedly set for March 4 in Glasgow, Scotland. Prograis dropped a close decision to Taylor in 2019 in a title unification bout.
“Maybe [I will] look for a unification or something like that,” Prograis told iD Boxing. “I know that dude Puello has the WBA (title) and they have some dudes fighting for the IBF, and maybe you know I fight one of them.
“I don’t know. I don’t know. Whoever it is, I don’t care however it is, I’m ready. I’mma train hard and I’mma defend my belt, and I’mma do what they tell me to do.”
Prograis became a two-time 140-pound titlist in December, with an 11th-round stoppage of Jose Zepeda to win the WBC belt.
tough to unify when you have no network behind youPrograis Eyeing Unification at 140 Next, Puello, IBF Winner
BY SEAN NAM
Published Thu Jan 12, 2023, 10:24 AM EST
Regis Prograis figures he may as well try to unify his division if none of his mandatories are willing to step up to the plate.
The newly crowned WBC 140-pound champion from New Orleans recently became the focus of business politics, when a proposed fight with former champion Jose Ramirez fell through after Ramirez balked at the terms of the purse split, which was 65-35 (as determined by the WBC) in favor of the champion, Prograis.
Prograis, who lives and trains in Houston, will likely run into the same problems if he tries to schedule a match with the next contender on the WBC rankings, Teofimo Lopez. Like Ramirez, Lopez is promoted by Top Rank and his team would most likely not agree to the purse split. Top Rank, moreover, refuses to do business with Probellum, the upstart promotional company that backs Prograis because they believe the company has ties to alleged Irish drug cartel boss Daniel Kinahan. Probellum has repeatedly denied the accusations.
That has left Prograis scratching his head as to what his future will hold. Recently, the WBC decreed that they would allow Prograis to have his own voluntary defense in response to Ramirez’s withdrawal.
Given his unsavory experience with Ramirez, Prograis tentatively floated the idea of looking to unify belts. Alberto Puello of the Dominican Republic currently holds the WBA 140-pound title. The IBF title is vacant. The WBO is held by former undisputed champion Josh Taylor; the Scotsman is headed toward a rematch with Jack Catterall, reportedly set for March 4 in Glasgow, Scotland. Prograis dropped a close decision to Taylor in 2019 in a title unification bout.
“Maybe [I will] look for a unification or something like that,” Prograis told iD Boxing. “I know that dude Puello has the WBA (title) and they have some dudes fighting for the IBF, and maybe you know I fight one of them.
“I don’t know. I don’t know. Whoever it is, I don’t care however it is, I’m ready. I’mma train hard and I’mma defend my belt, and I’mma do what they tell me to do.”
Prograis became a two-time 140-pound titlist in December, with an 11th-round stoppage of Jose Zepeda to win the WBC belt.
Erratic415
Superstar
he isnt at all
footwork like this is largely missing from todays heavies
Dallas' 4 Eva
Superstar
rumblings that prograis is very close to signing with TR
Bout time he finally signed with one of the top players, alot of options at both TR & PBC with the 140 belts being splintered.
Conscious Pilot
Do Better.
Conscious Pilot
Do Better.
The boxing gods gon somehow make sure Ramirez gets a better opponent. It just has that feel.