Former WBA Super 140lbs champion Regis Prograis has split with long-time promoter Lou DiBella.
The parting of ways is said to be amicable, but will undoubtedly lead to a scramble for the New Orleans southpaw’s signature.
Prograis, 31, had one fight left on his promotional deal with DiBella, which was supposed to be against former WBO king Maurice Hooker in April before the rise of the Covid-19 Pandemic halted those plans.
Now a separation deal is being finalised that will lead to Prograis becoming one of the most sought-after free agents in boxing.
“First off I just want to say thank you to Lou DiBella and the whole DBE promotional company. Lou took a chance with me when nobody else wanted me,” Prograis told Sports Illustrated. “I built a name for myself in the boxing world and won my first world championship with Lou.
“DiBella will always be like family to me. But now the time had come for us to part ways. I’m excited to see what’s in store for my future in this next part of my career.”
The magnanimous and friendly tone was echoed by DiBella in a brief statement on Twitter.
“Every positive thing I ever said about Regis, I still believe,” said DiBella. “We had a real good run together and I look forward to watching him do big things in the future. We always have been, and always will be, cool.”
The gifted Prograis (24-1, 20 KOs) lost a narrow, majority decision to IBF title-holder Josh Taylor in a thrilling unification bout last October that was one of those rare occasions where both men emerged with their reputations enhanced.
One of the best fighters in the sport, he won’t be short of offers.
Main image: Mark Robinson/Matchroom.