Interviews
Regis Prograis recalls the drama of Ivan Redkach, Thriller and Jake Paul
In a night that featured Jake Paul fighting a retired MMA fighter in Ben Askren, Snoop Dogg on commentary, and the debut of another former UFC fighter and Colombian reggaeton artist, it was surprisingly the Regis Prograis vs. Ivan Redkach clash that produced the most drama on a dramatic night in Atlanta last Saturday.
The fight between the former 140-pound champion Progress and experienced fighter Redkach was a fight on the card that was liked by die-hard boxing fans, but ended in bizarre circumstances.
“Rougarou” dominated the proceedings and after hitting the Ukrainian in the head with his left hand, Prograis fired a body shot that sent the 35-year-old to the canvas, claiming he was hit with a low blow.
Referee Jim Korb ruled that the shot was clearly above the belt line and that the low arc gave the American a technical decision victory, with “El Terrible” removed from the ring after receiving medical attention.
Understandably, a furious Prograis vented his post-fight frustration, but he got justice on Monday when the Georgia Sports and Entertainment Commission overturned the referee’s decision, giving him a sixth-round TKO victory, his second stoppage victory since his only loss to Josh Taylor by majority decision of October 2019
Reflecting on the fight, the 32-year-old believes his opponent was looking for a way out of the fight, but was pleased to have the decision overturned.
“In the last two rounds I started hitting him tough and catching him,” Prograis said proboxing-fans.com.
“I just think he wanted a way out, that’s the most significant thing. I just think he wanted to get out, he didn’t want to fight anymore and he was faking it.
“He would have won a massive Oscar for this because he was a good faker!
“He definitely wasn’t low. Even when I hit him, I knew it wasn’t low. I really never low blow anyone, even if I’m fighting an orthodox fighter or a southpaw fighter.
I just want to thank everyone who joined the fight on Saturday. It was a weird ending, but overall it was a good experience. Who do you want to see me fight next? @triller #ThrillerFightClub #rougarou 👊🏽🥊#wolfpack 🐺 pic.twitter.com/I92XNJ49UZ
— Rougarou (@RProgais) April 20, 2021
“Of course anyone can make mistakes, but I just don’t and I knew it didn’t hit him, I knew it was bullshit.”
“It was the most significant thing I wanted [the decision changing to a TKO]”
Prograis revealed that Redkach and his wife offered an apology, although the trio did not communicate in person after the fight.
This was Triller’s second gala since their inaugural exhibition between Mike Tyson and Roy Jones Jr in November, which featured performances by Diplo, The Black Keys and Saweetie, and was won by 44-year-old former cruiserweight world champion Steve Cunningham, who came retires to defeat former UFC heavyweight Frank Mir.
During the unique and unconventional broadcast, which was met with mixed reactions online, Oscar De La Hoya made a surprise appearance and later apologized for making some bizarre comments, and Prograis stated that at times he felt the event was a bit over the top.
“I think it was too much, I won’t lie. They could do it, but not by much.
“I had to be at the arena at 6 p.m. and then I didn’t start walking [to the ring] until 11:40 p.m. or so, so I literally sit in the locker room for almost six hours, waiting and waiting and waiting.
“We saw all these bands, all these performers doing all this stuff and it was pretty loose.
“Another thing people don’t know is that Ivan’s wife kept coming into our dressing room and offering us things.
“She offered us sandwiches, food, bananas and coffee!
“She was really nice. I think this was her first time being involved in something like this and I think she worked as his assistant or something.
“But she would come and offer us things. She replied, “Yes, you know, they say you keep your friends close and your enemies closer.”
“She was joking, she really enjoyed it, but it was just a different kind of experience.”
Prograis’ fight was followed by Justin Bieber’s performance, before Jake Paul stopped Ben Askren in the first round, securing his third professional victory.
Paul, who has amassed more than 20 million subscribers on YouTube, has faced widespread criticism in the boxing community, raising eyebrows during his fight week press conference when he described himself as an “elite boxer” even though his other two victories were against another sensation website at AnEsonGib in his debut before stopping former NBA star Nate Robinson.
However, the “Problem Child” with whom there is a future clash Tommy Fury attracts huge attention and fresh audiences to sports, claims on his YouTube channel that the fight generated over 1.5 million pay-per-view buys, and Prograis, who has named Adrien Broner as a potential opponent for his next fight, believes that the 24-year-old will benefit from knowing that he is having a positive impact on the sport that brings
“Even before the fight, that’s why I agreed to be on the card, because they asked: ‘Do you want to fight further?’ [the] Jake Paul [undercard]?
“Of course I will fight, he brings a different perspective to the sport. If I’m not mistaken they said the pay-per-view numbers are crazy, they’re massive numbers right now and I don’t even think they’ve tallied them all yet.
“My opinion of him hasn’t changed at all. He brings a different perspective to the sport and hey, if they can do it through a boxing match, let them do it.”
Watch the full interview below, in which Prograis reflects on his fight with Redkach, and read what he had to say about his future on our Youtube channel.
Natasha Jonas unified the welterweight division by defeating Ivana Habazin by clear points on Saturday to add the WBC title to her IBF crown at the Exhibition Center in Liverpool.
Jonas (16-2-1, 9 KO) was last seen defending her title in January in a hard-fought split decision over Mikaela Mayer, while Habazin (23-6, 7 KO) won the vacant WBC welterweight title in her home country. time out, winning by wide points over Kinga Magyar.
After a technical opening round, Jonas settled into a steady rhythm before landing a powerful right hand in the fourth round that crushed Habazin.
There was a rivalry, but the home favorite was much better in the rallies and seemed to be losing round after round.
This situation lasted until the final bell, when Jonas became the winner by scores of 100-90, 99-91 and 99-92.
Price is closing in on Jonas’ match
Lauren Price definitely stayed on as a collision course with Jonas and easily defended her WBA and IBO welterweight titles after a third-round fight against Bexcy Mateus.
Mateus (7-1, 6 KO) was on board in the first round, after the Welshman landed a powerful left hand, and the Colombian struggled to match Price’s speed.
The same shot caused the 29-year-old to repeat the punch in the second round, and the round later ended when another stinging left hand stunned Meteus and she fell to the canvas, after which the fight was stopped.
Price (8-0, 2 KO) has agreed to face Jonas next, and promoter Ben Shalom revealed it could be announced next week.
Knife edge passes McKenna
Lee Cutler scored an upset victory to claim the silver WBC International welterweight title after winning a majority decision against Stephen McKenna.
McKenna (15-1, 14 KO) was eliminated in the first round, his knee touching the canvas after being tagged, and Cutler (15-1, 7 KO) took full advantage of his opponent’s weakness in the seventh round when his right hand plunged into his knee. The Irishman who ultimately fell once again.
McKenna was relentless in his attacks and landed a huge number of punches.
The balance of 94-94 was surpassed by the scores of 95-93 and 96-92, which ensured the victory for Cutler.
Jeffers stopped Quartey
Mark Jeffers is on track for large fights in 2025 after defeating Joshua Quartey to defend his silver Commonwealth super middleweight title.
A pair of right hands put Quartey (10-1, 9 KO) on the board, and although he broke the count, a well-placed body shot after the restart by Jeffers (19-0, 6 KO) blew the guy away again.
A crazy attack after the restart forced a stoppage.
Riley secures Chamberlain’s face-off with a stoppage
Viddal Riley finished the heavyweight fight and stopped Dan Garber in the second of the scheduled six rounds.
Riley (12-0, 7 KO) hit Garber (7-4, 2 KO) with his right hand, and then his next attack forced the referee’s intervention.
Riley’s next match will be against Isaac Chamberlain on February 1.
Undercard remaining
Mason Cartwright (21-4-1, 8 KO) won all six rounds at super welterweight against Dzmitry Atrokhau (16-25, 7 KO), and Hope lightweight Frankie Stringer (9-0, 1 KO) did the same in the fight against Tatenda Mangombe (3-9-1).
In the flyweight division, Mikie Tallon (6-0) defeated Benn Norman (7-7) with a body shot in the first round of the match, and then settled for a 59-54 victory.
The only fighter to fight four rounds in the super featherweight division was Mason Devine (6-0, 1 KO), who won every session against Jayo Fernando Duran (15-34-1, 14 KO).
Dillian Whyte has revealed his predictions for the hotly anticipated rematch between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury on December 21.
Fury, who knocked out Whyte at Wembley Stadium in 2022, will seek revenge for the only defeat of his career in just 11 days, after losing to Usyk by split decision earlier this year.
Despite losing the night, “The Gypsy King” was a major success and many are struggling to pick a winner in his second battle against the imperious Ukrainian.
Some experts believe Fury needs to be more aggressive and take the lead if he is to win.
I’m talking to Social boxingWhyte revealed he shared that view, asking the Morecambe man to return to the game plan that saw him destroy Deontay Wilder in the return leg.
“It’s a great fight, man, I’m still trying to think – how will this fight go?
“Okay, Fury can make changes, but Usyk can make changes too. It’s a tough fight, a very, very tough fight for both fighters.
“If I were Fury’s coach, I would tell him he has to play aggressively.
“Fight him like you fought Wilder the second time.
“Bring back the aggression, bring back the tyrant!
“This is heavyweight boxing – you never know.”
It is unclear whether Fury will heed the advice of Whyte and others in the boxing world who have advised him to take the fight to Usyk, but looks noticeably heavier than before the first fight.
What are the changes? ❌@Tyson_Fury says he will exploit exactly the same game plan as the first time when he faces Oleksandr Usyk at the end of the month.
Thinks? 🧐 pic.twitter.com/VtpEwLJkWx
— Professional boxing fans (@ProBoxingFans) December 6, 2024
Win or lose, the 36-year-old could face a long-awaited home fight against Anthony Joshua, even though “A.J.” interrupted defeat against Daniel Dubois in September.
While it may not have been as great a spectacle as it once was, a clash between Joshua and Fury would still be by far the biggest all-British fight in recent memory.
As for Whyte, he returns to the ring next Sunday night and will face Ghanaian heavyweight Ebenezer Tetteh live on DAZN in Gibraltar.
The All-American fight between lightweight world champions Gervonta Davis and Shakur Stevenson is one of the most anticipated fights in all of boxing.
Both Davis and Stevenson are undefeated multi-weight champions and are staples on any respected pound-for-pound list.
With this in mind, you could be forgiven for assuming that the pair locking corners in their prime years is a given, but that doesn’t seem likely to happen in the near future.
“Tank” spoke to the media at the press conference inaugurating his performance March 1 fight with Lamont Roach, and when the prospect of fighting Stevenson arose, he didn’t seem particularly interested.
The Baltimore hitter even went so far as to question what his compatriot did to deserve him.
“What for? Who has Shakur [beat]? What did Shakur do?
“What has he achieved in sports? He didn’t do anything! Juvenile people look better than him!”
“Keyshawn [Davis] you look so much better than that nigga! Shout it out nigga, he ain’t done nothing!
I asked Gervonta about a possible fight with Shakur… #Box #TankRoach pic.twitter.com/T1eNFJ9iIO
— Dwa O Dwa Z.. (@Noo_Barzz) December 3, 2024
“Why the hell are you saying his name?”
Like Davis, Stevenson will also return to action in the first quarter of next year, fighting against up-and-comer Floyd Schofield on the February 22 Riyad season card.
The Newark southpaw has been sidelined since his July decision victory over Artem Harutyunyan after he had to withdraw from a proposed October fight with Joe Cordina due to injury.
Saudi boxing boss Turki Alalshikh has expressed his willingness to have a fight between the two virtuosos, provided both are successful in their upcoming fights.
‼️ His Excellency Turki Alalshikh stated that he wants the Gervonta Davis vs Shakur Stevenson fight: “My plan for Shakur is this fight [vs Floyd Schofield]then William Zepeda, and then let’s see if Tank wants to come on our show.” [@DAZNBoxing] pic.twitter.com/Mmi6hO7Fjo
— Michael Benson (@MichaelBenson) December 3, 2024
While he undoubtedly has the talent to rival Davis, Stevenson is not as commercial a star as his rival, and some critics believe he needs to start giving more entertaining performances if he wants to get substantial names.
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