Isaac Cruz Open to Challenging WBC Champ Regis Prograis at 140
Regis “Rougarou” Prograis (28-1, 24 KOs) is unclear who he will face in his first defense of the WBC junior welterweight title. Amid his search for his next challenger, Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz (24-2-1, 17 KOs) has shown up on radar.
READY TO STEP UP
During an interview with Mexican media outlet Izquierdazo, Isaac Cruz Sr said, if his son was given the chance to face Prograis, they would be willing to take the fight.
(translated from Spanish) “If it were a world title fight, it would be an option . . . There would be no point unless there was a title opportunity. We would take it at 140.”
“It is not ruled out. If it were for the world title, we would accept a fight against him right now that he has the option of choosing a rival. He would be perfect. Only then would we go up to 140, with that opportunity.”
UNDER ONE CONDITION
However, there is a caveat. The father was adamant in insisting that were his son to battle the 140-pound champ, it would have to be economically feasible. He believes his son deserves up to forty-five percent of a purse split.
Cruz is ranked in the top ten by all four sanctioning bodies at lightweight and wants a fight with the undisputed fighter in that division, Devin Haney. But Haney’s schedule is tied up for the moment as he’s set to face three-division champion Vasyl Lomachenko this spring.
With his losing effort in a high-profile fight against current WBA Regular lightweight champ Gervonta Davis in December 2021 and subsequent stoppage wins over multi-division champion Yoriorkis Gamboa in April 2022, Cruz has become a darling of the hardcore sect. The cache of the 24-year-old has increased significantly over the past 18 months.
IF IT MAKES DOLLARS, IT MAKES SENSE
A point of contention that could prevent a possible Prograis-Cruz battle would be the finances and compensation. Despite Cruz’s growing popularity, it’s unlikely he would receive that high percentage of the split as the challenger.
If the money issues are ironed out behind the scenes, Prograis – Cruz is a viable fight. The champ would have a popular opponent for his first title defense. Their styles would mesh very well and would produce a good contest. It’s the kind of fight that would draw in hardcore and social media boxing fans. There’s been no inkling from Team Prograis or Team Cruz that talks have begun. Still, it’s something worth keeping an eye on.
By: Michael Wilson Jr.
