Rick Mirgian Accuses Regis Prograis of Ducking Top Rank’s 140-Pound Stable
Two-time WBC junior welterweight champion Regis “Rougarou” Prograis (28-1, 24KO) is coming under heavy fire for signing with Matchroom Boxing by Rick Mirigian, the manager of Arnold Barboza Jr. After congratulating Rougarou, Mirigian accused him of ducking the entire division, mainly Top Rank fighters.
THE BACKSTORY
Mirigian was trying to make a fight between Barboza and Prograis before the WBO ordered his fighter to face Liam Paro. When Barboza walked away from the fight due to a low winning purse bid by Matchroom Boxing, former unified champion Jose Ramirez was next to get the call.
Prograis has been harboring ill will toward Ramirez for walking away from their purse bid by the WBC and quickly took to social media to call out Ramirez for ducking.
RELATED: Regis Prograis On Paro vs Ramirez Eliminator: “What A Fucking Joke!”
The boxing community was buzzing when Prograis and Matchroom Boxing executive Eddie Hearn announced he is officially a new member. Furthermore, the WBC champion’s first fight under the Matchroom umbrella is against Paro.
In fairness, Prograis mentioned wanting to clean up the division by chasing undisputed along with possible fights with Ryan Garcia and Gervonta Davis. Mirigian is saying that signing with Top Rank increases the possibility of getting those fights. Yet, it’s worth mentioning Barboza couldn’t get a fight with Top Rank stablemate Teofimo Lopez.
Fights with Barboza, Lopez, Ramirez, and a rematch with WBO champion Josh Taylor can still happen. Signing with Matchroom Boxing should not hinder them from taking place, especially if he grabs more belts.
Top Rank and Matchroom Boxing have put aside their differences in the past to make fights. Tyson Fury vs Dillian Whyte and Mikaela Mayer vs Alycia Baumgardner are two recent examples to note. Why should now be any different?
