LAFAYETTE (KATC) — Nobody ever accused Regis Prograis of lacking confidence.
“I expect the best opponent to come into the ring. I always train for the best. He’s a champion and he does not want to lose that belt. But he’s going to lose that belt,” said Prograis in an interview during Wednesday’s pre-fight press conference.
Prograis meets Kiryl Relikh Saturday in the World Boxing Super Series Semifinals. Relikh is 23-2 all-time and the current WBA Super Lightweight Champion. Prograis, the Louisiana native fighting in his home state is 23-0.
The two exchanged high fives and seemed relativity friendly during an often contentious moment. But don’t let smiles fool you.
The World Boxing Super Series is an 8-man bracket where boxing’s elite will fight for the Mohammad Ali trophy and as Prograis puts it, a mark that can never be tarnished when it comes to Legacy.
“Legacy never dies. This will be here way when I’m just ashes and gone,” he said Wednesday. “That’s why I signed up for the tournament. It’s a big risk and reward at the same time. It’s real fights. You can’t duck people, you have to fight. It’s a big reward at the end, at the end of the rainbow is the pot of gold.”
Saturday’s winner will face the winner of next month’s other semifinal between Josh Taylor and Ivan Baranchyk.
