Prograis: “Top Rank Doesn’t Believe Jose Ramirez Can Beat Me”

Prograis Opens Up About Why He’s Not Fighting Jose Ramirez

Regis Prograis says Top Rank believes Jose Ramirez can't beat him
Regis Prograis (L, Credit: Action Images), Jose Ramirez (Credit: AP)

Regis Prograis Calls Bullshit on Jose Ramirez and Top Rank


Regis “Rougarou” Prograis (28-1, 24 KOs) is a fighter in search of an opponent. The reigning WBC junior welterweight champion was in line to face one-time unified 140-pound champ Jose Ramirez (27-1,17 KOs). However, Ramirez balked at the WBC’s ruling that he would get 35 percent of the purse split and turned down the fight.

NOT AMUSED

The champ has been largely mum on the manner. He’s now ready to speak. During an interview with the
news’ source, iD Boxing, Prograis gave his side of what happened. Suffice it to say, Rougarou is not a happy camper.

“Listen, it’s bullshit. He can say all that stuff he wants. From what I understand, it was supposed
to be a 75/25 purse split. The WBC ruled for a 35/65; that’s supposed to be fair . . . If he’d been a champion, I would have took whatever they gave me because I know that I can beat him. I believe that I can beat him.”

“He didn’t even know what the purse bid was going to be. If it goes to a purse bid, you didn’t
even know who was going to win. He knows Top Rank is not going to bid on him. Why? They don’t believe he can win. They don’t believe he can beat me . . . If it has been the other foot around, I would have took that 65/35, for sure. I would have did what I had to do . . . For me, I think it’s all bullshit.”

Regis Prograis, WBC junior welterweight champion

Prograis is coming off an eleventh-round stoppage over Jose Zepeda in November 2022 to win the vacant WBC title. According to a WBC ruling, he was to face Ramirez. Prograis’s next title defense is up in the air. Rougarou still wants a fight with Ramirez. If not, Rougarou is open for a unification bout against any other world champion in the division.

Sum all this up as a battle of egos and the web of boxing politics. But to many observers, this is
nothing more than a frustrating and tiresome ball of mess.

By: Michael Wilson Jr.

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About Mike W.1943 Articles
Mike is the host of boxing podcast "Pound 4 Pound Boxing Report" and is a Senior Writer for 3kingsboxing.com.