Regis Prograis likely to stay with PBC
Former WBA junior welterweight champion Regis “Rougarou” Prograis (24-1, 20ko) split with long-time promoter Lou DiBella over the summer and instantly became one of the hottest free agents in boxing.
The New Orleans native was being sought after by all of the major players in the sport. However, when the dust settled, the former champion signed a one-fight deal with the Premier Boxing Champions flagship.
MAKING THE BEST CAREER DECISION
Now looking to start the second half of his career under the PBC brand, Rougarou is set to take on Juan Heraldez (16-0-1, 10ko) on October 31. The bout will take place at the Alamodome in San Antonio with fans in attendance.
However, some questions still needed to be answered as to why sign with PBC and pass on the more established Top Rank brand. Prograis, during an interview on The Last Stand Podcast with Brian Custer, explained his reasoning.
“Al Haymon man just always takes care of his fighters and gets his fighters paid. I just think that at this stage of my career, this is where I need to be. I didn’t do the Top Rank thing because they basically didn’t promise me what I wanted.”
“What I want to be is a world champion again at one forty before I move to one forty-seven. It’s just something in my heart I want to be a champion again at one-forty. So Top Rank couldn’t promise me Josh Taylor or Jose Ramirez. They just couldn’t promise it to me.”
“So I was just like well if you can’t promise it to me then I will just go somewhere else.”
Furthermore, when asked if the one fight deal will be the end of his relationship with PBC, the former champion revealed this probably is going to be a long-term relationship.
“I can’t say it’s a one-off, I really can’t say it’s a one-off, I talked to the man yesterday. We call him the legend and yesterday he said you know, I think this will be a really good fit for you. So most likely I will be at PBC.”
This should not be a surprise to anyone, especially considering that the PBC shot-caller Al Haymon advises most of the top fighters at welterweight, and Rougarou already admitted to wanting to move up. So being under the same umbrella will put him on a direct path to the top fighters of the division.
By: Garrisson Bland
