Just like that – The boxing career of Regis Prograis is over

Seven years ago.

Seven.

A small number, but a significant one in a sports career.

Seven years ago, Regis Prograis returned home to the chants of “Rougarou.”

It was an exciting time. Prograis was already 30; his climb had taken a while.

Prograis had done well as an amateur, winning 87 of 94 fights. He turned professional in 2012. Three years later, ESPN recognized him as a Prospect of the Year. He was knocking people out left and right. Two years later, he met undefeated Joel Diaz at the Turning Point Casino. Prograis had won 19 fights in succession, scoring 16 knockouts. This was the proverbial battle of the prospects.

The problem was that it wasn’t much of a battle. Southpaw Prograis took over immediately, flooring Diaz four times. The referee stopped the fight in the second round. Promoted as his toughest fight to date, Prograis’ domination announced him as a serious contender.

Prograis entered the World Boxing Super Series. Clever and powerful, he was the top seed and showed why by knocking out his opponents.

He moved up fast, capturing a portion of the WBA junior welterweight title by stopping Kiryl Relikh in 2019.

Prograis faced Josh Taylor in the finals of the tournament. The fight was a rip-roarer. Taylor gave more than he took. Although Prograis rallied in the last round, the judges declared Taylor the winner.

“I thought I won that fight,” Prograis told Dennis Taylor and me a few months after the bout on The Ringside Boxing Show. He wanted a rematch badly. Sadly, a second go-around never materialized.

Prograis was out a year, returning to defeat undefeated Juan Heraldez. He won two more fights before facing tough Juan Zepeda in 2022. Zepeda had dropped two fights out of 38. His hands were heavy, but Prograis beat Zepeda to the punch, winning the fight and the WBC super lightweight title.

A year later, he faced Danielito Zorrilla. Prograis was favored, but struggled. He won the fight, but his future didn’t look as bright. He lost a decision to Jack Catterall and battled Jojó Diaz, another faded ex-champion. The fight was a crowd-pleaser, but retirement was in the air.

People expected Conor Benn to knock out the former champ when they fought a few weeks ago.

Didn’t happen. Prograis brought the fight to Benn and fought with enthusiasm. He motioned to Benn and shook his head. Old but unbowed. A loss can sometimes be a win.“I’m officially done with boxing,” Prograis told ringmagazine.com. “I saw my face. I don’t want to look like this no more.”

He expressed happiness with his career.

“I had a great career.”

Prograis is right. He had a wonderful career. His rise from Louisiana was intriguing. The Rougarou had a nice run.

He made it all the way to the top while staying modest and engaging. Hopefully, he stays retired and enjoys life. Regis Prograis earned it.

Please note that Prograis is already reconsidering his retirement.

“I’ll come back in a few years,” Prograis told The Ring Magazine. “When I’m like 40 years old, I’ll come back. It just won’t be at 140 pounds, but I’ll come back.”

It’s so hard to give it up.