Dignity Health Sports Park, Carson, CA, Nov. 26
TV: FIte TV Pay-Per-View
By Peter Lim
Prograis versus Zepeda not only lives up to but exceeds its hype and expectations. All the thrills, spills, action and drama from Prograis-Taylor and Zepeda-Baranchyk are reproduced in this encounter.
Dispensing with any form of feeling-out process, both southpaws tear into each other from the opening bell. The better technician of the two, Prograis is usually the first to connect in the exchanges but Zepeda returns fire with a vengeance to drive Prograis back and force him to reset.
Both men score multiple knockdowns throughout the fight but both have the punch resistance and durability to recover and battle on. Getting dropped only seems to strengthen Zepeda's resolve as he comes storming back after rising to his feet each time. When hurt, Prograis has the poise and wherewithal to stick, move and stay out of trouble long enough to shake off the buzz.
While Zepeda spends most of the night headhunting, Prograis mixes his attacks upstairs and down. The body shots prove significant down the stretch as Zepeda begins to lose some steam in the later rounds, allowing Prograis to pull ahead. Prograis sends Zepeda to the canvas in the final round but, as usual, Zepeda makes it to his feet and finishes the fight in attack mode.
The final knockdown proves decisive as Prograis wins by close but unanimous decision to begin his second reign as a 140-pound titleholder.
