On a night which was saw a YouTube sensation in Jake Paul fight a retired MMA fighter in Ben Askren, Snoop Dogg on commentary and another former UFC fighter and a Colombian reggaeton artist make his debut, it was surprisingly the clash between Regis Prograis and Ivan Redkach which produced the most drama on a dramatic night in Atlanta last Saturday.
The showdown between former 140lbs champion, Prograis and experienced contender Redkach was the fight on the card which appealed to the hardcore boxing fans, but concluded in bizarre circumstances.
‘Rougarou’ dominated proceedings and after striking the Ukrainian with a left hand to the head, Prograis followed up with a body shot which left the 35-year-old crumpled on the canvas, claiming he’d been struck by a low blow.
Referee Jim Korb ruled the shot, which on replay was clearly above the belt line, a low bow handing the American a technical decision win with ‘El Terrible’ stretchered out of the ring after receiving medical attention.
An understandably furious Prograis vented his frustration after the bout, but was given his justice on Monday when the Georgia Athletic and Entertainment Commission reversed the referee’s decision, handing him a 6th round TKO victory, his second win by stoppage since a sole loss to Josh Taylor by majority decision back in October 2019.
Reflecting on the bout, the 32-year-old believes his opponent was looking for a way out of the fight, but was glad to see the decision overturned.
“Those last two rounds I started to hit him hard, I started to catch him,” Prograis told proboxing-fans.com.
“I just think he wanted a way out, that’s the main thing, I just think he wanted to get out he didn’t want to fight no more and he faked it.
“He’d get a big Oscar award for that because he faked that shit good!
“It wasn’t low for sure. Even when I hit him I knew it wasn’t low. I really don’t ever hit nobody low, even if I’m fighting an orthodox fighter or a southpaw fighter.
Just want to thank everybody who tuned into the fight Saturday night. It was a bizarre ending but overall good experience. Who do you want to see me fight next? @triller #TrillerFightClub #rougarou 👊🏽🥊#wolfpack 🐺 pic.twitter.com/I92XNJ49UZ
— Rougarou (@RPrograis) April 20, 2021