‘This is home to me’: Regis Prograis readies for New Orleans title defense

R egis Prograis would never look past an opponent. But few in the world of men’s professional boxing would blame him for making plans beyond his junior welterweight title defense Saturday in his hometown of New Orleans.

In Prograis’s first fight since he knocked out Jose Zepeda in Los Angeles in November to win the World Boxing Council’s 140lb belt, Danielito Zorrilla stands in his way.

Zorrilla (17-1, 13 KOs) only landed the shot to face Prograis after an injury forced the originally programmed challenger, Liam Paro, to withdraw. He’s entering his second fight since losing a fairly wide unanimous decision last July to Arnold Barboza – who was the Prograis camp’s first choice to replace Paro – and is considered a relatively sizable underdog by the bettors.

All of which has left Prograis (28-1, 24 KOs) willing to publicly contemplate things other than the Miguel Cotto-promoted pugilist in the corner across from him as he geared up for the first of three contracted contests for promoter Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing stable.

After a recent workout, Prograis spoke frankly with the Guardian about three fights he covets assuming he takes care of business Saturday: a unification with fellow 140lb strap holder Subriel Matias, a challenge from undisputed lightweight champion Devin Haney, or a rematch with the only man who beat him, Josh Taylor, the terms of which he may better control after the Scot lost his lineal and WBO junior welter titles Saturday to Teófimo López.

Matias’s appeal centers on the IBF title he holds, which – if he could wrest it away – would get Prograis one step closer to the division’s undisputed championship. It has the added bonus of drawing interest from fans who want to see two skilled beltholders