Next month, light welterweight contender Oscar Duarte will take on the two-time 140 lb. champion Regis Prograis. The event will be broadcast live on DAZN.

stepping stone

Golden Boy Promotions selected Prograis as the opponent to serve as a stepping stone in the career of WBA No. 9 Duarte (28-2-1, 22 KOs), who has been knocked out in the eighth round by Ryan Garcia. Art looks good December 2, 2023.

If Duarte wins this fight, he will be ranked higher in the World Boxing Association, as he is still far from challenging for a world title.

The Fall of Regis

This is a must-win fight for the 35-year-old Progres (29-3, 24 KOs), who has lost two fights in a row and hasn’t won since 2023. Regis suffered a lopsided unanimous decision victory over 12 rounds. Jack Cattrall October 26, Manchester, UK.

Progres, the former WBA and WBC light welterweight champion, made the otherwise beatable fighter look better than he looked in that fight. Prior to this, Regis lost to Devin Haney On December 9, 2023, a unilateral unanimous decision was reached after 12 rounds.

Progres needs to rediscover his best form from 2015 to 2022. In losses to Haney and Cattrall, Progres didn’t apply the same pressure he had earlier in his career and looked like he was afraid of taking hits.

Surprisingly, the light-hitting Catterall knocked Progres down twice in the ninth round and he looked timid throughout the remaining 12 rounds.

Comeback or retirement?

If Regis loses to Duarte, he needs to consider retiring as it will show he has no future. The only way to save the situation is for Prograis to drop to 135 and try to reinvent themselves. It would make no sense for him to reach 147 because he already had jaw problems at 140.

Duarte is coming off a 10-round unanimous decision victory over Botirzhon Akhmedov on November 16. It’s a great fight with a lot of action going both ways. Ahmedov once wounded Duarte during the fight and hit him hard several times. Duarte’s strength and strong chin allow him to win fights. It won’t be an easy battle for him, though.

“I know that inactivity is the death of a fighter. At this point in my career, I want and need to be more active,” Prograss said. “I think this fight has a lot of fireworks. My opponent is a strong, tough, hungry fighter and it should be a great night in California. I’m excited for this fight and looking forward to it next month. “