AN unexpected – yet nonetheless intriguing – matchup, coming from way out of left field, will see Regis Prograis and Joseph Diaz Jr lock horns in a classic winner-stays-on encounter.
Perhaps because of its late arrival, their super-lightweight clash, which will feature on the undercard of Oscar Duarte vs Kenneth Sims Jr this Saturday, has flown well under the radar.
Both combatants are, of course, at the tail end of their respective careers, with another world title charge, for either man, appearing beyond unrealistic.
That said, the two seasoned operators should, if nothing else, deliver a high-level spectacle, not with the same intensity or ferocity that would have transpired several years ago, but instead with a more measured, and indeed strategic, approach.
The former world champions will be aware, but perhaps reluctant to admit, that their bodies have, almost in equal measure, significantly deteriorated in recent years.
And so, instead of going toe-to-toe at a frenetic tempo, like they might have done in their primes, we are far more likely to see both fighters opt for a less physically demanding battle.
At the same time, though, it is impossible to overlook the natural physical advantages of Prograis, 29-3 (24 KOs), a fully-fledged 140lb technician who, at his best, carries enough power to flatten anyone in his division.
Even in his last outing, which culminated in a unanimous decision defeat, the 36-year-old was able to floor Jack Catterall and, at least in the early rounds, remained sharp enough to negate many of his opponent’s blistering attacks.
It was only as their fight progressed that Prograis lost an element of vitality in his legs and, as a result, found himself climbing off the canvas on two occasions.
Against Diaz, 34-7-1 (15 KOs), however, the former two-time world champion is unlikely to encounter that same problem.
Rather, his bigger frame should allow him to get the better of their short-range exchanges – bullying his opponent on the inside – before Diaz, a former super-featherweight world champion, begins to run alarmingly low on gas.
Down at 130lbs and 126lbs, ‘JoJo’ had been able to produce similar performances, often grinding his opponents down in a 12-round battle of attrition, yet now, without that same physical prowess, his defensive style pales in comparison to what was, not so long ago, a more high-volume approach.
More concerning still, the 32-year-old’s last meaningful win arrived against Javier Fortuna back in 2021, with each outing since then only adding more miles to his clock.
Regis Prograis vs Joseph Diaz Jr prediction
The bigger frame of Prograis should prove too imposing for Diaz, who is likely to enjoy an early spell of success – utilising his fluid footwork – before burning himself out in the middle rounds.
From there, Prograis should not only assert his dominance on the inside, but also outfox the Californian at long-range, winning the battle of the southpaw jabs before securing himself a late stoppage victory.
