By Byron Spurlock

Undefeated jr welterweight Regis “Rougarou” Prograis (19-0, 16 KOs) returns to ShoBox this Friday for his fourth time at the Turning Stone Resort Casino. Prograis will face another undefeated fighter in the main event, as he defends his NABF title (for the second time) against Joel Diaz Jr. (23-0, 19 KOs).

Prograis is the #4 ranked jr welterweight with the WBC and a victory will boost him closer toward a world title.

Fightnews.com® interviewed Prograis earlier this week as he made the final preparations for Friday’s showdown.

Why such a dangerous fight for yourself?

It is up to my manager and promoters to make the best fight out there for me. At first, I was thinking I did not want the fight, but then I did not know when I would be in the ring again so I took the fight.

Yes, it is a dangerous fight and actually, any fight a fighter takes can be dangerous, but at the same time, this is a fight that I have been waiting for. I wanted an opponent that I could really show all the tools that I have the arsenal of what I have to offer as a fighter.

In all my fights, I felt like I have shown something different, even my first fight on Showtime I have shown that I have skills and I have power.

In my last fight with Wilfrido (Buelvas), I knocked him out with a jab to the body which nobody in my weight division (jr welterweight) do you see doing right now.

With this fight, I feel this is a big fight and it’s a step-up fight for me and we are challenging for my belt, so at the end of day it’s a title and we are fighting for my belt and the way I feel it’s my title.

Is fighting Joel Diaz Jr the right fight for you right now?

Yea! I feel that it is a good fight for me right now and this is a fight that can put me closer up there to the top! I am ranked #4 right now. This is a risky fight for me to take right now, but I do not know the next fight for me in my division so I feel that this is the next best fight.

Do you feel that you want to fight more often?

I love to fight, and I wish I could have fought right after my last fight that was in February. I did not get much work against Wilfrido, so I am looking to get back into the ring ASAP.
(Editor’s note: Buelvas was knocked out with a straight right hand to the body at 2:07 of the 1st round on February 11th).

Do you feel that this is a step up in competition?

I feel that this is a step up fight for both of us and I want to display my skills, and show things in my arsenal.

Talk about the risk verse the reward for this fight.

Yes, this is a risky fight for me, and I have everything to lose in the fight and Diaz has everything to gain. That is why at first I did not want to take the fight, I wanted somebody that was an ex-champion or someone that is in the top ten, but you know this is boxing.

What is your mindset coming in?

I feel that he is a good opponent so I am going to go do what I need to do. He is going to try to shock the world, but that is not going to happen, I am going to keep my title.

How have you prepared differently for Diaz’s power compared to your previous opponents?

I cannot worry about how a certain fighter fights, I just have to go out and prepare like I do for each fight. I’m just worried about me, my training is hard, if I’m not in the gym I’m at home training.

I do not change my training camp of anyone! So far for what I’ve been doing has been working.

Who do you want next?

Terrance Crawford or Adrien Broner! Those are some names that I would want to fight next.

Anything you want to tell your fans?

I feel like I am going to make a statement in this fight. I do see the fight ending in a knockout and that is by me knocking him out. But hopefully I will be able to showcase difference things in the ring and fans can see what I’m all about.

Diaz is going to come tough for this fight, but I can do so many different things. Fans might see twelve rounds of non-stop action come Friday night! Its going be a fight where we are going to see who is going to break who down first and I guarantee that I’m gonna break him down first!

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The event is co-promoted by DiBella Entertainment (DBE) and AASHA Record Breakers. Doors open at 6:30p and the first bout is scheduled for 7:30p. The SHOWTIME/ShoBox telecast begins at 10:30p ET. A limited amount of tickets are available at the Turning Stone Box Office (877-833-SHOW).