American WBC super lightweight champion Regis Prograis (28-1, 24 KOs) is unhappy with the situation. He is due to make two consecutive mandatory title defenses against ex-world champion compatriots José Ramirez and Teofimo López.
But to organize these fights is almost impossible due to the conflict of promoters – Top Rank Bob Arum (for whom Ramirez and Lopez stand) fundamentally does not work with Probellum Richard Schafer (they are suspected of having links with a crime boss by Daniel Kinahan), which represents the interests of Prograis.
Despite this, coach Teofimo Lopez Sr. for some reason already promised the champion a fight with his son.
comments Prograis: Apparently he doesn’t care about Teofimo. After all, I do not go into the ring to box. I go out to beat and maim. It’s just that it’s not for him to go against me in the ring, but for his son.”
Prograis suspects that all this is just a game for the public: “Yes, he is not going to fight me. That’s why he says all kinds of shit. It’s the same thing I was talking about before. Behind the fence all the dogs feel cool and constantly bark. But they know that Top Rank does not work with Probellum. Fortunately, before the end of the week I will receive answers from my promotion. They will tell you what kind of fights to really do. This is what we will be moving away from.”
“Teofimo has already begun to repeat itself,” smiles Prograis. – He gets bored. I’m wondering, after all my options are announced, will they continue to tell stories that I supposedly can’t fight in the USA? Tales that I supposedly can’t enter the ring at all? Obviously, this is bullshit. My last fight was in California. This is the USA, right? In short, this is the plan. I get a list of available opponents. And then I want to hear what those who refused to fight have to say. What excuses will they come up with this time?”
It seems that one of the candidates will be the ex-lightweight contender – “Pitbull” Cruz is ready to fight with Prograis. The champion has already accepted this challenge: “I will give him a concrete beating!”
