Breaking down Viktor Postol vs. Regis Prograis

Earlier this month the WBC ordered former super lightweight titlist Viktor Postol to face New Orleans’ Regis Prograis for the interim title [likely for 2018], and it could turn out to be one of the more intriguing, exciting fights of the year.

The 28-year-old Prograis (20-0, 17 KO’s), a southpaw fighting out of Houston, has knocked out 13 of his past 14 opponents, and has been pursuing a “big name.” He is coming off an impressive second-round stoppage of the previously undefeated Joel Diaz Jr., the son of renown trainer Joel Diaz, in his first defense of the NABF super lightweight title in June.

Prograis is the epitome of high risk, low reward, and Postol (29-1, 12 KO’s), 33, a Ukraine native fighting out of Los Angeles, knows just what that feels like. He is fresh off a 10-round unanimous decision victory over Jamshidbek Najmiddinov in September but was dominated by Terence Crawford, currently considered as one of the top pound-for-pound fighters in the sport, in a July 2016 pay-per-view bout that only garnered 55,000 buys.

Postol is not a big name, but his high punch volume, timing, and right hand should prove to be a test for Prograis, who has excellent speed and combination punching capabilities, but also tends to leave his hands down, potentially giving an advantage to Postol with his counter-punching skills.

Postol, on the other hand, is vulnerable for flush shots, particularly early in the fight. But if he gets into a rhythm, the better and more precise he is down the stretch. If Prograis is going to make a statement, he will have to get Postol’s respect early with a lead left.

And we’ve seen Prograis hurt before. He was momentarily buzzed by an overhand left in the third round of his fight against Amos Cowart (11-2-1, 9 KO’s) in August 2015, but the 27-year-old was unable to capitalize as he swung wildly, and Prograis fought smart by staying low and covering up to avoid taking any more damage.

The fight is not being talked about, but it should. It has the potential of being great.