Regis Prograis returned home to a hero’s welcome.
He left with his title barely—but still—intact.
The two-time and reigning WBC junior welterweight titlist turned away a crafty challenge from late replacement opponent Danielito Zorrilla in his first title defense. Judge Craig Metcalfe (114-113) ruled for the visiting Puerto Rican, overruled by judges Robert Tapper (118-109) and Josef Mason (117-110) as Prograis claimed a split decision win in their DAZN-aired main event Saturday from Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Headlining the show, homegrown favorite Regis Prograis (28-1, 24KOs) will attempt the first defense of his WBC junior welterweight titlist Danielito Zorrilla (17-1, 13KOs).
Zorrilla accepted the fight on four weeks’ notice, after Australia’s Liam Paro was forced to withdraw due to injury. He entered the fight regarded as limited to just a puncher’s chance to win, despite his intentional style adjustment to become more of a boxer under trainer Hector Bermudez.
That chance came early when Zorilla landed a right hand on an off-balance Prograis, who was fighting in his childhood hometown for the first time in nearly five years. Forward momentum by Zorrilla caused him to push Prograis to the canvas, which helped the local favorite avoid what could have easily been ruled a knockdown.
The sequence came after Prograis was able to land several clean left hands upstairs as Zorrilla kept his chin high in the air. Zorrilla atoned for the flaw with constant movement in round two. Prograis patiently stalked but was unable to get into an offensive rhythm.
That changed in an instant in round three.
A straight left hand by Prograis caught Zorrilla flush on the chin and sent the visiting Puerto Rican to the canvas. The sequence drew a rise out of the crowd who previously booed the unsteady early flow of the fight. Zorrilla beat the count but was overly conscious of Prograis’ power as he was on the move for the rest of the round.
The same strategy was employed by Zorrilla throughout round four. The first-time title challenger used constant movement and stopped only to throw short, chopping shots when Prograis was able to cut off the ring and work his way inside. Prograis ended the round with a right hook over the top of Zorrilla’s high guard.
Prograis looked to pick up the pace after a cerebral fifth round. Zorrilla did his best to slow the action to a crawl but was forced to fend off an onrushing Prograis in the first minute of round six. A quick defensive adjustment did the trick for the 29-year-old challenger, to the dismay of the crowd who once again voiced displeasure over the lack of action.
Zorrilla still played defense in round seven. Prograis struggled to cut off the ring and immobilize his challenger but managed to land a straight left hand late in the frame.
Prograis avoided a right hand early in round eight and countered with a right hook around Zorrilla’s left glove. Zorrilla had the best moment of the round inside the final minute when a straight right hand briefly caused Prograis to brieflly stagger.
A left hand by Prograis found its way through Zorrilla’s guard in round nine. Zorrilla later tried to sell referee Ray Corona on a low blow when Prograis landed in combination but was instead disciplined for pulling down on the back of the defending titlist’s head. Zorrilla banged together his gloves and urged Prograis to trade, an ironic statement when it was the Puerto Rican who turned a fight into a boxing match.
Prograis used feints in an effort to draw in Zorrilla in round ten. The challenger didn’t quite take the bait but it allowed the local favorite to inch closer and throw his straight left hand. Zorrilla did his best to suggest a knockdown took place when Prograis fell to the canvas though the sequence was accurately waved off as a slip.
Lateral movement was the focal point of Zorrilla’s strategy throughout round eleven. Prograis continued to throw his left hand with conviction but was often short. It didn’t deter him from forcing the action, which forced Zorrilla to grab on the inside in lieu of searching for counter opportunities.
Prograis landed a left hand inside the first minute of the twelfth and final round. Zorrilla took the shot well but missed with a right hand in return. Zorrilla scored with a combination to the body and again later in a right hand downstairs. Prograis missed with one final left hand in the closing seconds while Zorrilla snuck in an overhand right just before the bell.
Prograis advanced to 29-1 (24KOs) with the win, while Zorrilla fell to 17-2 (13KOs).
Jake Donovan is a senior writer for BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox