Zepeda-Prograis WBC Vacant Title Fight Done For November 26

The Jose Zepeda-Regis Prograis fight for the vacant WBC junior welterweight title is official.

While the boxers will meet at a news conference in Los Angeles on Wednesday, MarvNation Promotions formally announced the bout on Monday. It will take place on Nov. 26 on pay-per-view at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California, and fill one of the 140-pound belts vacated by then-undisputed champion Josh Taylor.

Zepeda (35-2, 27 KOs), 33, of La Puente, California, was Taylor’s mandatory challenger but when Taylor vacated to pursue a rematch with Jack Catterall rather than hang onto the WBC belt, next up was former WBA titlist Regis Prograis (27-1, 23 KOs), 33, of New Orleans, whose only loss was a close majority decision to Taylor in a 2019 unification fight.

“I’m really excited about this fight finally happening. This is not like other fights,” said Zepeda, who is 0-2 in world title bouts. “This is the top two in the 140-pound division. Fights like this you don’t see in boxing anymore. This is a real fight and the best part is that the fans are aware of this.”

Prograis has won three fights in a row since the loss to Taylor and campaigned hard to get this opportunity.
“I’ve been waiting for this fight for three years,” Prograis said. “I was a champion three years ago, and I stayed at 140 so that I can fulfill my goal and be a two-time champion at 140. I’ve been waiting long for this opportunity, and I believe Nov. 26 is when I will unleash my three years of frustration. I could have gone to 147 and got more money, but I always wanted to be a two-time champion.

“I changed some things around. I got a nutritionist for my last fight. I am very grateful for this opportunity to come again, and I will not let it slip.”

In a major surprise, MarvNation Promotions, which doesn’t promote either fighter, won a purse bid for $2.4 million to secure rights to the bout and so far has met the various deadlines for putting on the fight, which most expect to be action packed.

“This is one of the most highly anticipated fights in boxing,” said Marvin Rodriguez, the CEO of MarvNation Promotions. “Zepeda versus Prograis promises action from the opening bell. It’s an honor to bring this event to fans in Southern California, and we look forward to announcing the undercard in the coming days.”