Boxing
Regis Prograis vs Joseph 'JoJo' Diaz Keys to Victory: Breaking down tactics of each fighter
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Regis Prograis and Joseph ‘JoJo’ Diaz both need a victory badly.
Each man will look to get back into the win column Saturday night when they clash at the Credit Union 1 Arena in Chicago, Illinois, and live on DAZN.
After erecting a five-fight win streak, Prograis (29-3, 24 KOs) suffered two straight points losses via a unanimous decision defeat at the hands of Devin Haney in December 2023 and a unanimous decision fall to Jack Catterall last October.
The last thing the former two-time super lightweight world champion can afford is losing his third consecutive bout.
Diaz (33-7-1, 15 KOs), a former super featherweight world titleholder, is experiencing an even rougher slide, having lost three straight fights and six of his last seven matches. That includes his last outing in November when he lost to Abraham Montoya via split-decision.
Will Prograis get back to his winning ways and record his 30 th professional victory? Or will ‘JoJo’ Diaz get a much-needed win at his expense for a morale booster?
With great urgency to win for both fighters, DAZN News' Mark Lelinwalla analyzes their keys to victory.
Regis Prograis’ Keys to Victory
Apply pressure early
Regis Prograis brings pointed pressure behind a constantly prodding, poking right hand.
While that jab is pumping, the southpaw has his left hand cocked and loaded, looking for the right moment to unleash it with power.
This forward-fighting flow is what Prograis must produce to drown out Joseph ‘JoJo’ Diaz.
Turn the volume up
Diaz can sometimes shell up on the defensive end a bit too long and that is all the more reason why Prograis must keep busy.
The former two-time 140-pound world champion would be aided by turning his punch volume way up and coupling it with that aforementioned pressure to put Diaz on the back foot.
Force Diaz’ guard to split
Diaz has a high, disciplined guard but it can be broken forcibly with persistent punching.
That bodes well for Prograis who packs a blunt, stiff punch.
If Oscar Duarte was able to crack that guard in Diaz’ only knockout loss, Prograis should definitely keep knocking until he breaks the door down.
Joseph ‘JoJo’ Diaz’ Keys to Victory
Make early deposits to the body
When pressed or when pressuring himself, Joseph Diaz demonstrates a concerted effort of banging away at opponents’ body with either hand.
Doing this against Regis Prograis could hinder the forward-fighting progress of ‘Rougarou.’
Unload the left hand
Over many sequences in his fights, Prograis shows a lapse in guard, letting his hands fall chest level or lower.
When Diaz spots these lapses, he must take his shots and ideally unload the left hand.
Chest level is where Prograis had his hands moments before getting blasted by Jack Catterall with a looping left hand in the ninth round of their fight.
Diaz, if he times his left properly, should look to pull off similar damage.
Let hands go
To trudge his way out of this ditch and produce a sorely-needed victory, Diaz must show urgency against Prograis from the opening bell.
That entails the southpaw letting his hands go via an uptick of punches in refusing to be overwhelmed by a stronger, bigger Prograis.
There might not be another way for Diaz to win.
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