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Prograis Defends WBC Crown Against
Zorrilla In New Orleans On June 17
Regis Prograis will defend his WBC World Super-Lightweight
title against Danielito Zorrilla on Saturday June 17 at the
Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana, live
worldwide on DAZN.
Prograis (28-1 24 KOs) became a two-time World king at
140lbs by dismantling and knocking out Jose Zepeda in 11
rounds at the feted ‘War Grounds’ of the Dignity Health in
California in November.
The New Orleans native previously held the WBA title at
Super-Lightweight, winning the belt against Kiryl Relikh via
sixth round stoppage at the University of Louisiana in April
2019 in the semi-finals of the World Boxing Super Series,
before meeting Josh Taylor in the final at The O2 in London
in October in a barnstorming battle edged by the Scot.
The 34 year old returned to winning ways against Juan
Heraldez, Ivan Redkach and Tyrone McKenna to lead to his win
over Zepeda, and ‘Rougarou’ is looking to shine in his first
fight at home since October 2018 as he aims to land the
unification fights he craves in the second half of 2023,
with undisputed on his mind in 2024.
Zorrilla (17-1 13 KOs) will be out to spoil those plans, and
the Puerto Rican promoted by the legendary Miguel Cotto,
lands a golden opportunity to win his first World title on
June 17, replacing the injured Liam Paro. The 29 year old
held the WBO NABO title at 140lbs, highlighted by a
destructive second round KO over Pablo Cesar Cano, and
pushed highly rated Californian Arnold Barbosa Jr all the
way in their clash in July.
“I’m glad that Zorrilla has taken the fight,” said Prograis.
“Nothing changes for me; I am still working hard to go out
there and prove that I am the best fighter in the world at
140lbs. I will go out, do my thing, show out for my city and
defend my title with pride.
“I’m sad for Liam but we have a great replacement, and I am
going to make every proud. Everyone in the city is stopping
me in the street and asking me about the fight, so I cannot
wait to get in there and put on a show, it’s going to be a
fire fight.”
“We have waited for this opportunity for a long time in my
career and it has finally arrived,” said Zorrilla. “I am
ready to be a world champion, I am grateful to Prograis for
giving me the opportunity but on June 17, there will be a
new World champion.
“I've been watching Prograis for a long time and I know his
style, I know I have the talent and ability to win by any
means. The world will know who Zorro is.”
"Zorrilla has worked hard for this opportunity and without a
doubt the time has come to fight for the World
championship,” said Cotto. “Prograis is a great champion but
on June 17 he will have a complete boxer in front of him,
hungry and ready to be World champion."
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