Essex-based Matchroom Sports has continued tapping into the global market to sign new and talented boxers from around the world. Their latest acquisition has seen them dip into the Americas by adding WBC American Super Lightweight champion Regis Prograis and former amateur Cuban prospect Andy Cruz to their roster.
Regis Prograis (28-1, 24 KO’s), who was previously the WBA champion in the 140-pound division for a short period in 2019, had been free from his contract with boxing promotion Probellum for several weeks. The American champion was in talks for weeks with various companies, but has decided to land at Matchroom who is currently involved with DAZN ― who serves as their primary broadcaster for all their fights.
The deal between Prograis and Matchroom will see the 34-year old fight three times for the promotion on DAZN, with his first fight already scheduled for June 17th when he faces Australian contender Liam Paro (23-0 14 KO’s) who is also a Matchroom fighter.
Since winning his second world title in his weight class by defeating fellow American Jose Zepeda (35-3, 27 KO’s) in November of last year, Regis Prograis has been looking for new opponents to face. Teofimo Lopez (18-1, 13 KO’s) was linked with fighting Prograis but is now fighting WBO champion Josh Taylor (19-0, 13 KO’s). Former unified Super Lightweight champion Jose Ramirez (28-1, 18 KO’s) was also supposed to face Regis Prograis after becoming the mandatory challenger to Prograis’ title by defeating Richard Commey (30-5-1, 27 KO’s), but Ramirez neglected the chance to fight Prograis.
Instead, Jose Ramirez was reported to be in talks to fight Liam Paro as of last week after the fight was ordered by the WBO, but this has now swiftly changed with the announcement of Regis Prograis defending his WBC title against Paro instead.
In light of the news, the American champion was swift to express his excitement at both his signing with Matchroom/DAZN and the future fight that has been lined up for him.
“I can’t wait! I mean, Eddie came to Houston a few days ago and already I have a fight date: June 17th in New Orleans at the Smoothie King (Center).” Regis Prograis excitedly expressed in one of his first interviews as a Matchroom signing.
With there having been plenty of suitors willing to sign Prograis to their stable ― including plenty of American-based promotions such as the PBC, the American clarified why he had chosen Matchroom instead.
“I just felt like it’s home.” Prograis said. “Listen we (him and Eddie Hearn) had a thing going back and forth about three or four weeks and I just had that gut feeling. Like, ‘This is where I belong’, and I still feel like that.
“From the beginning to the end I felt like this is where I belong, Obviously, I am a two-time world champion and you know a lot of people wanted me, and it was a back and forth, but I just feel like this is home.
“This is the best move right now for my career, I feel like this is where I need to be.“
Andy Cruz, a former Cuban amateur who with more than 200 fights as an amateur is most recognized for winning an Olympic gold medal in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics ― held in August of 2021 due to the COVID pandemic, has also joined Matchroom boxer.
Cruz, who is currently 27-years old, will be making his professional debut as a Lightweight on DAZN in the near future and the Cuban fighter has shown his eagerness at the opportunities that now lie open with his new signing to Matchroom.
“I am very excited! This is a new stage in my life, I am very excited and I am going to take every opportunity that is given to me and I can’t wait to get going.” Andy Cruz stated in an interview with Matchroom.
“I wanted to sign with the best promotional company in the world with a promotional company that will guide me through my professional career and to obtain everything that I know I’m capable of. And I believe that Eddie Hearn and Matchroom is that promotional company for me.“
With his professional career yet to start, Andy Cruz already to have an idea on where he would go with his career.
“I think God’s timing is perfect. It is up to him but I am going to put everything, 100 percent, of myself (into the sport) and I’ll be ready for when those opportunities come.” Andy Cruz vowed. “I’ll be ready to do anything and (overcome) any challenge thrown at me.“
Matchroom’s signing of Prograis and Cruz shows their consistent intent to dominate the global market. With their roster already existing out of dozens of fighters from different countries, Matchroom’s latest move has put every other promotion on notice as they continue to compete ― alongside DAZN ― to become the most significant promotion in the boxing industry.
