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Jose Zepeda is nice. Regis Prograis is particular.
That was apparent Saturday night time at Dignity Well being Sports activities Park in Carson, California, the place the gifted Prograis dominated after which knocked out Zepeda 59 seconds into the 11th spherical to grow to be a two-time 140-pound titleholder.
The New Orleans fighter left little doubt about who was the higher fighter.
“I skilled like six months for this struggle,” he stated. “I needed to take him to deep waters and drown him, take him to deep waters, put my foot on him and take him down.”
Regis Prograis KOs Jose Zepeda within the eleventh spherical! pic.twitter.com/VAR1bLBc2P
— 𝗙𝗢𝗟𝗟𝗢𝗪 @𝗙𝗧𝗕𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗱𝟳 (@FTBeard7) November 27, 2022
Prograis (28-1, 24 KOs) had grow to be nearly a forgotten man since he misplaced his first title to Josh Taylor by a majority determination in 2019. He subsequently received three fights to earn a shot on the vacant title however did so in relative obscurity.
On Saturday, combating on pay-per-view, he reminded followers of what made him one of the revered and thrilling younger stars on the earth only some years in the past.
Prograis discovered a groove starting within the second spherical, preserving Zepeda (35-3, 27 KOs) on the finish of his fast jab and choosing him aside with an assortment of sharp, correct photographs to win spherical after spherical.
And Zepeda by no means actually adjusted. As a substitute, he continued to field at a distance with a superior boxer quite than making an attempt to pressure his method inside or in some way make him uncomfortable. That will’ve been his solely probability to win the struggle.
The tip was considerably stunning as a result of Prograis hadn’t damage Zepeda for 10-plus rounds, at the least not badly. That modified instantly, although.
Prograis, like Zepeda a southpaw, discovered his opponent’s chin with a crushing overhand left that despatched him reeling backward into the ropes. His prey wounded, the hunter adopted with a barrage of laborious blows that lastly put Zepeda down.
And that was sufficient for referee Ray Corona, who stopped the struggle with out counting to avoid wasting Zepeda from taking undue punishment.
Prograis had an insurmountable lead on the playing cards after 10 rounds, 98-92, 98-92 and 97-93. Boxing Junkie additionally had the winner forward 98-92, eight rounds to 2.
Spectacular efficiency, spectacular end.
Thus, Prograis received the vacant WBC junior welterweight title, which had been vacated by Taylor. And within the course of he reclaimed his place as a significant participant within the sport.
He was requested afterward whom he want to struggle subsequent. Taylor retains the WBO belt. And proficient Alberto Puello not too long ago claimed the WBA title. Prograis didn’t need to name anybody out, nonetheless. His philosophy: Allow them to come to him now.
“I’m not saying no person’s title no extra,” he stated. “… At first no person needed to say my title. Now I’m a two-time champion, now allow them to say my title.”
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