November 24, 2022

Jose Zepeda vs Regis Prograis HOT TAKE

JOSE ZEPEDA vs REGIS PROGRAIS
WBC SUPER LIGHTWEIGHT TITLE - 12 ROUNDS

In the mood for a can't miss action fight that is all but guaranteed to be fireworks? You will certainly be covered with Jose Zepeda vs Regis Prograis for the WBC SUPER LIGHTWEIGHT TITLE. Zepeda is currently ranked #1 in the division, and Prograis is #2 - and this is what we want in boxing - the BEST fighting the BEST. Zepeda is a talented Southpaw in his prime who is riding a five-fight winning streak coming into this content - and if you want a glimpse into Zepeda's heart, go back and watch his 2020 fight-of-the-year candidate matchup with Ivan Baranchyk. Zepeda was knocked down four times and came back to win via TKO in the 5th round - that is will and determination personified. And for Prograis, aka Rougarou, also a Southpaw, it's his moment to recapture greatness. After suffering a razor-thin defeat in 2019, Prograis has rebounded with three straight wins, all by knockout. Prograis has been hunting for a big-name challenger, and this title opportunity vs Zepeda fits the bill and then some. In Prograis' own words, "I was a world champion and the number one in the world, so for me, it's about getting back to that same spot that I feel like I deserve. This is a chance to achieve that." On November 26th, two men will enter the ring, but only one will exit as WBC Super Lightweight Champion of the World. The best fighting the best - elite vs elite - #1 ranked vs #2 ranked - matchups like this exemplify why we love the sport of boxing.

YOKASTA VALLE vs EVELYN BERMUDEZ
WOMEN'S /IBF/ WBO JUNIOR FLYWEIGHT TITLE - 10 ROUNDS

In a year where men's boxing matchups have not always materialized as we had hoped, women's boxing has been shining and getting the well-deserved and overdue spotlight it deserves. Yokasta Valle vs Evelyn Bermudez getting co-main event billing on this fantastic card is another example and will certainly be a tremendous bout between two motivated women. Yokasta Valle is currently riding a 13-fight winning streak coming into November 26th and has stayed active as this is her 4th fight of 2022. Valle will move up in weight for an immense challenge: taking the WBO and IBF JUNIOR FLYWEIGHT TITLES away from undefeated Argentine Evelyn Bermudez. Bermudez, who boasts a 4-year age advantage, has also stayed active with three fights and three wins earlier this year and does not want to relinquish her belts to the challenger Valle, especially at Bermudez's weight class. Two women riding prodigious momentum, daring to be great, and who will undoubtedly put on a massive show on November 26th at the Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California.

BAKHODIR JALOLOV vs CURTIS HARPER
HEAVYWEIGHTS – 10 ROUNDS

Boxing's most storied division will always be heavyweight - the biggest men with the most devastating and powerful knockouts reside here, and Bakhodir Jalolov is no exception. The 28-year-old towering 6'7" Southpaw, originally from Uzbekistan, has delivered a knockout win 100% of the time boasting an 11-0 record with 11 devastating KOs, many of which have come in the opening round. Jalolov will have an opportunity to showcase his fight ending power against veteran Curtis "The Hurt" Harper. The best way to describe this one is simply, "DON'T BLINK!"

CHARLES CONWELL vs. JUAN CARLOS ABREU
WBC SEMIFINAL JUNIOR MIDDLEWEIGHT TITLE ELIMINATOR-- 10 ROUNDS

For a while now, Charles Conwell has been known simply as "Boxing's Best Kept Secret." The young undefeated star, fighting out of Soul City Boxing Club in Ohio, has been shining on every stage he's been on - 17 wins and 13 coming by way of knockout. When the lights are brightest, Conwell performs - and that will certainly be the case on November 26th against Juan Carlos Abreu. Proudly representing the Dominican Republic, Abreu, who has 23 knockouts to go along with his 23 wins, will have a challenging task against Conwell - who is ten years Abreu's junior. Expect to see an all-action matchup, as long as it lasts, and expect to see the highly touted Conwell look to close the show in spectacular fashion, as he's done so many times before in his burgeoning career.

FERNANDO VARGAS JR. vs ALEJANDRO MARTINEZ
SUPER WELTERWEIGHTS – 6 ROUNDS

Pedigree, poise, charisma, and finishing ability are just a few ways to describe the 26-year-old Southpaw Fernando Vargas Jr. Son of the legendary fighter Fernando Vargas; Junior looks to continue and build upon the Vargas legacy each time he steps into the ring. So far, Vargas Jr. has looked sensational as he looks to continue to execute on that mission objective, winning each of his six fights by knockout. With his father's guidance, Vargas Jr. displays a confident but not cocky style in the ring and a flashy but humbled approach outside of it. A student of the game, Vargas Jr. has all the makings of a future superstar and world champion. The next step in Vargas Jr.'s journey comes on November 26th against Alejandro "Thunder" Martinez. Anything can happen in boxing, so, of course, Martinez is a live dog - but expect to see Vargas Jr. continue his meteoric rise on Saturday night with, most likely, an exclamation point as he's known to do on big stages.

Curran Bhatia is a 4-time Emmy® nominated fmr. Producer at HBO. With nearly a decade of experience at HBO, Curran produced/directed long-form documentaries (including the Emmy award-winning series "24/7"), features, and 250+ live events. Since HBO, Curran has stepped in front of the camera as On-Air Talent, Host, Play-By-Play Announcer, and Interviewer on NBC Sports, ESPN, FOX Sports, DAZN, FITE, and more. Curran hosts Ask The Experts podcast presented by DraftKings. Follow Curran: @CurranBhatia/