Regis Prograis Vs. Jose Zepeda: Odds, Records, Prediction

Jose Zepeda has had a 12-year career that most would deem a success, building an impressive record and beating some solid fighters. But he’s fallen short the only two times he’s fought for a world title. Against Regis Prograis on Saturday night, he’s hoping that he can finally grab that elusive belt and put the exclamation point on his career. Prograis, of course, has much different plans. Here’s everything you need to know about Regis Prograis vs. Jose Zepeda, including the odds, their records and a prediction on who will win.

Despite a minor car accident that he was involved in earlier this week, Zepeda said he’s 100% ready for his next opportunity to take home a vacant junior welterweight title. In his previous two attempts at a belt, he dislocated his shoulder in the second round vs. Terry Flanagan in 2015 and had to retire on his stool, and he lost a close, fairly controversial decision to Jose Ramirez in 2019.

“Nobody just gets three opportunities for no reason,” Zepeda told FightHype.com. “So, it means I’m doing something right each time I’m progressing, and the two times that I lost, in my book, inside the ring, I haven’t lost . . . I don’t have to tell you that I’m brave. If anything happens, I’m going to get up and go back to fighting, and he’s going to do the same thing. If he gets dropped, he’s going to come back. That’s why I keep saying ‘fight of the year,’ and all the boxing experts know that.”

In a recent interview, Prograis told me, “I don’t think he’s on this level; I’m many steps above him.” Though Prograis respects Zepeda’s skills and tenacity, he also points to his frustration with the last three years of his own career and says Zepeda will feel his anger.

“I just feel like I’m better, I’m not really nervous at all. I’ve trained so much for the last three years for this opportunity.” Prograis said. “Zepeda can’t let me hit him too much in this fight if he’s trying to set traps. If I can find him, I don’t think it’s going to be good for him. I don’t fight to box, I fight to hurt people. In my last three fights, I didn’t get hit and I got all three knockouts.”

Either way, this fight could be explosive and fun to watch.

“I’m just glad I’m getting the opportunity to fight for the world title again,” Prograis said. “Being a two-time world champion in the 140-pound division is my main focus now. I’m not surprised Zepeda took the fight. That’s what we all want, to become world champions. I know what type of fighter he is. He going to come to fight and so am I.”

Here’s more info on the Regis Prograis vs. Jose Zepeda showdown that U.S. viewers can watch for $59.99 on PPV.com or on Fite TV beginning at 9 p.m. ET on Saturday.

Regis Prograis vs. Jose Zepeda odds

Prograis is a sturdy betting favorite at -450 (bet $450 to win $100), while Zepeda is a +325 underdog (win $325 on a $100 wager). I think those money lines are too wide. I’d be more comfortable with Prograis at -300 and Zepeda at +225, which is what the money lines were when the first was first announced. If you like Zepeda, that +325 could be tempting (as could the +600 for a Zepeda win by decision). I also wouldn’t mind taking Prograis by stoppage in rounds 7-12 at +260 or even Prograis by stoppage in rounds 9-12 at +450.

Regis Prograis vs. Jose Zepeda records

Despite his loss to Josh Taylor for the unified 140-pound titles, Prograis (27-1, 23 KOs) has a solid resume. He’s stopped Ivan Redkach and Julius Indongo, and he’s scored a decision win vs. Terry Flanagan. Prograis has plenty of pop, and in 10 of his last 11 victories, he’s scored stoppages.

Though Zepeda lost his two world title shots, he has beaten some good opposition on his way to a 35-2 (27 KOs) record. That includes victories against Jose Pedraza, Carlos Diaz and the 2020 fight of the year slugfest vs. Ivan Baranchyk.

Regis Prograis vs. Jose Zepeda prediction

Zepeda has shown that he’s a really good fighter but not a great one. And I think it takes a great fighter to beat Prograis. This could be a really fun battle for the first half of the fight, but ultimately, Prograis will be too talented and powerful and score the stoppage late. Say Prograis by TKO in the 10^th round.