Regis Prograis advances to the WBSS Super Lightweight Final
Fighting in his home state, Regis Prograis put on a show as he stopped Kiryl Relikh in six rounds. This win crowns him the WBA Super Lightweight champion in the first semi-final of the WBSS Super Lightweight tournament tonight in Lafayette, Louisiana.
Prograis predictably began the fight boxing against Relikh, who turned southpaw towards the end of the first round. Fighting lefty proved to be a mistake. Prograis paid the move dearly with a left hand to body, hurting Relikh badly. The vicious shot forced Relikh to back up. Follow-up punches by Prograis put the WBA Champion down on one knee.
Prograis kept up the body attack in the second round. Towards the end of the round, the challenger stunned the defending champ with a left-hand to the chin. Relikh was now bleeding from a cut on the bridge of the nose. Although, he stunned Prograis with a left hook as the bell rung to end the round.
The 30-year old product of New Orleans regained his bearings and boxed beautifully in rounds three, four and five. Establishing the jab andlanding counters shots to the head and body, Prograis really started to find his groove and regained control of the bout. Though taking damage, Relikh stayed on the attack.
Midway through the sixth, Prograis hurt Relikh again with a left to the head. He followed up, poured on the punches and the corner had seen enough. Consequently, team Relikh threw in the towel with 1:24 left in the round.
What’s next?
The was an emphatic win by the fighter known as “Rougarou”. Faced with the toughest opponent of his career, Regis Prograis shined as he dominated Relikh.
Up next for Prograis is the winner of the second WBSS Super Lightweight semifinal between IBF Super Lightweight champion Ivan Baranchyk and Josh Taylor that will take place May 18th in Glasgow, Scotland. Asked who he would prefer to fight, Prograis said it doesn’t matter. Though, he’d really be interested in fighting Taylor because there are folks out there who believe that Taylor would defeat him.
By: Michael Wilson Jr.
