After months of frustration and waiting, Regis Prograis finally has his World Boxing Super Series semifinal bout set.
Prograis, who entered the WBSS 140-pound tournament as one of the favorites, spoke to the media in a conference call, which Fightful participated in. In that call, Prograis spoke about his upcomong fight against WBA champion Kiryl Relikh on April 27. The winner will not only walk away as the WBA world champion, but also be in the tournament finals.
Below are highlights of the conference call from a Twitter thread compiled by Fightful lead boxing reporter Carlos Toro:
Media conference call featuring Regis Prograis has begun. Prograis will fight WBA junior welterweight champion Kiryl Relikh in the World Boxing Super Series semifinals on April 27
— Carlos Toro (@CarlosToro360) April 16, 2019
Lou DiBella starts off the call talking about Prograis vs. Relikh. The fight will start at 10 p.m. ET on DAZN while the other WBSS semifinal bout on that day, Nonito Donaire vs. Zolani Tete in a WBA/WBO bantamweight title unification, starts at 9 p.m. ET also on DAZN.
— Carlos Toro (@CarlosToro360) April 16, 2019
Regis Prograis said the World Boxing Super Series is the best way to show he is the best 140-pound boxer today.
— Carlos Toro (@CarlosToro360) April 16, 2019
Alluding to past reported issues the WBSS had in recent months, Prograis said he wanted the tournament to continue and to have the opportunity to win the tournament and hold the WBA and IBF junior welterweight titles.
— Carlos Toro (@CarlosToro360) April 16, 2019
Bobby Benton, Regis Prograis' trainer, said training has been great and that he has been focused for the fight against Kiryl Relikh on April 27.
— Carlos Toro (@CarlosToro360) April 16, 2019
Regis Prograis said he wanted to stay in the World Boxing Super Series because his next fight was against WBA junior welterweight champion Kiryl Relikh. Added that he did not think he would get an opportunity to fight for the WBO or WBC titles next if he had left the tournament.
— Carlos Toro (@CarlosToro360) April 16, 2019
Regis Prograis isn't concerned with Kiryl Relikh potentially missing weight. Prograis will still fight for the WBA junior welterweight title if he makes weight.
— Carlos Toro (@CarlosToro360) April 16, 2019
I asked Regis Prograis if there was any frustration on his end waiting for months to hear if the World Boxing Super Series will continue. He told me he was frustrated and that he was bugging his manager on a regular basis to hear about the date of his next fight.
— Carlos Toro (@CarlosToro360) April 16, 2019
I also asked Regis Prograis if his next fight against Kiryl Relikh on April 27 is the biggest of his career. He said it is, but he's not sure if he's the best opponent he's faced, but fight for the WBA junior welterweight world title is what makes this the biggest of his career.
— Carlos Toro (@CarlosToro360) April 16, 2019
Regis Prograis said he doesn't watch tape of his opponents and leaves that up to his trainer. Prograis added that he has only seen just one fight from Kiryl Relikh.
— Carlos Toro (@CarlosToro360) April 16, 2019
Regis Prograis said he wants to fight Terence Crawford even if it means coming up to welterweight. Prograis said he always wanted to fight Crawford at 140 pounds, but Prograis was starting to come up as a contender just as Crawford was leaving the 140-pound division.
— Carlos Toro (@CarlosToro360) April 16, 2019
Regis Prograis said he didn't really have much of a gameplan in his last fight against Terry Flanagan, saying that he decided to outbox him when the two stepped into the ring.
— Carlos Toro (@CarlosToro360) April 16, 2019
Regis Prograis talks up the competition in the World Boxing Super Series: "Over here, you're fighting top guys."
— Carlos Toro (@CarlosToro360) April 16, 2019
Regis Prograis was asked why he doesn't watch tape of his opponents: "I don't want to trick myself." Added he doesn't want to think that an opponent is easy based on tape and that you can't judge power and heart from watching videos. Said he expects his opponents' best always.
— Carlos Toro (@CarlosToro360) April 16, 2019
Regis Prograis said people don't consider WBC junior welterweight champion Jose Ramirez and WBO champion Maurice Hooker as actual world champions and simply just titleholders.
— Carlos Toro (@CarlosToro360) April 16, 2019
When asked about a prediction, Regis Prograis exclaimed "And the NEW WBA super lightweight world champion!"
— Carlos Toro (@CarlosToro360) April 16, 2019
The fight between Prograis and Relikh will be streamed on DAZN. Also on that card is a WBSS bantamweight tournament semifinal matchup between Nonito Donaire and Zolani Tete in a WBA "Super" and WBO title unification.
