Regis Prograis will return to the ring for the first time since March. The 33-year-old super lightweight contender will step in to fight Jose Zepeda this fall for the vacant WBC Super Lightweight Championship. Jose Ramirez was originally set to fight Zepeda in October, but the potential fight was going to conflict with his wedding. Ramirez stepped back and opened the door for Prograis to fight in the fall. Now, the two sides will have until August 30 to agree to a title fight.
“I’ve waited for this opportunity for a long time. When I was a world champion, and I lost my belt, it was like I fell to the bottom of the pit, and I just clawed my way up and, clawed my way out,” Regis Prograis told Bad Left Hook.
“And now I am back fighting for another title again to become a world champion. I don’t do this just to become a world champ, I want to be known as the best in my division.”
Prograis will enter the title fight with a record of 27-1 with 23 knockouts. His lone loss came at the hands of unified champion Josh Taylor in 2019 by majority decision. His opponent, Jose Zepeda, holds a record of 35-2 with 27 knockouts.
“I have been waiting for a really long time to fight for the WBC title,” Zepeda told ESPN.
“I’m happy that Prograis wants this fight, I know he’s a really good fighter and I’m sure that we will give our fans a tremendous fight. I can’t wait until I become the next WBC champion.”
