Prograis wins by TKO in the eighth round and becomes an entry in the WBSS.
Fight Recap
The opening stanza saw Velasco using his height advantage and the jab to find a comfortable distance while Prograis attempted to walk him down. This was arguably the only round Velasco may have been competitive in.
After three rounds of winning the ring generalship battle with ease, Prograis gave the hometown crowd something to cheer about in the fifth. A shot to the solar plexus dropped his opponent who briefly appeared to hurt to continue. To his credit he was able to rise to his feet and make it out of the round.
After being stalked for the majority of the seventh round, Velasco was dropped agian. This time it was a left hook to the liver. As the round closed, it was translated in Velasco’s corner that he did not want to continue. His trainer was reluctant to adhere to his fighter’s request and demanded he give him one more round.
Well, in the eighth round Prograis went on to drop a him twice. After the first knockdown, Velasco spit out his mouthpiece. You can see the expression on his face as he went to his corner to retrieve his mouthpiece that he was done.
Before the second knockdown, it appeared Velasco fell to the ground in attempt to bow out of the fight off of a missed left hook from Prograis. The referee ruled it a slip and allowed the fight to continue. Shortly after, the fight was over.
Post Fight
After the fight, Prograis declared entry into the WBSS. However, he did mention if Pacquiao or Lomachenko wanted a fight at 140, he would take those fights instead.
Prograis improves his record to (22-0, 19KOs). It was a successful homecoming as he retains his interim WBC junior welterweight championship.
By: Jerrell Fletcher
