Two of boxing’s hardest-hitting junior welterweights will meet in the ring next month.
José 'Chon’ Zepeda will battle former WBA titleholder Regis ’Rougarou’ Prograis will clash for the vacant WBC 140-pound title on Saturday, November 26, at ‘The War Grounds,’ Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California, live on Pay-Per-View.
Presented by MarvNation Promotions and produced by Legendz Entertainment, Zepeda-Prograis promises nothing but excitement.“
This is one of the most highly anticipated fights in boxing,” said Marvin Rodriguez, Founder, and CEO of MarvNation Promotions. “Zepeda vs. Prograis promises action from the opening bell, and the winner will not only earn the WBC title but will also be considered the best 140-pounder in the world. It’s an honor to bring this event to fans in Southern California, and we look forward to announcing the undercard in the coming days.
“We’re honored to promote this sure-fire event for boxing fans in Southern California at ‘The War Grounds’ in addition to those watching on Pay-Per-View. We look forward to announcing an outstanding undercard in the coming days.”
Stated Zepeda: “I’m really excited about this fight finally happening. This is not like other fights. We are the top two in the 140lb. division. Fights like this you don’t see in boxing anymore. This is a real fight, and the best part is that the fans are aware of this.”
“I’ve been waiting for this fight for three years,” said Prograis. “I was a champion three years ago, and I stayed at 140 so that I can fulfill my goal and be a two-time champion at 140. I’ve been waiting long for this opportunity, and I believe November 26 is when I will unleash my three years of frustration. I could have gone to 147 and got more money, but I always wanted to be a two-time champion. I changed some things around. I got a nutritionist for my last fight. I am very grateful for this opportunity to come again, and I will not let it slip.
”Over the past few years, Zepeda (36-2, 28 KOs), a southpaw hailing from La Puente, California, has exhibited devastating punching power and a massive heart.
In October 2020, the 33-year-old scored a fifth-round knockout of former world champion Ivan Baranchyk in an ESPN-televised clash that saw each man hit the deck four times in what was undoubtedly one of the greatest boxing matches in modern memory. Both men were honored in December 2021 in New York City when the fight was formally crowned as 2020 ‘Fight of the Year’ by the Boxing Writers Association of America.
Following a 10-round decision over Hank Lundy in May 2021, Zepeda shut down the naysayers with an emphatic first-round knockout of previously unbeaten contender Josue Vargas last October 30 at Madison Square Garden. Zepeda then took a stay-busy fight against journeyman Francisco Perez in March, winning via second-round knockout.
Now, Zepeda is ready for his third opportunity at world title glory. He first challenged for the honor against then-WBO lightweight champion Terry Flanagan in July 2015. However, Zepeda was stopped in the second round after dislocating his left shoulder.
In his second shot, he was outpointed by Jose Ramirez in February 2019 in a somewhat controversial majority decision that many ringside observers felt Zepeda had won.
But a victory is anything but guaranteed as Zepeda faces the most formidable opponent of his career.
Prograis (27-1, 23 KOs), also 33-years-of-age and a southpaw, has knocked out four of his last five opponents. The only man who made it the distance with Prograis also happens to be the guy who handed him his only loss to date—Josh Taylor—who defeated Prograis by majority decision in London to win the undisputed 140-pound crown back in October 2019. With Taylor having relinquished most of his titles, two more belts are up for grabs, beginning with the coveted green belt.
Coming off a sixth-round knockout of Tyrone McKenna in March, Prograis believes he will walk out of the ring as a two-time world champion. But his man across the ring is just as hungry, if not more driven, considering some people believe he got swindled out of a title against Ramirez.
The debate comes to an end on November 26.
