Regis Prograis is a Louisiana Creole, whose been dominating the lightweight division of professional boxing. Regis was born in New Orleans, Louisiana and moved to Houston, Texas with his mother and sister in 2005 after evacuating hurricane Katrina.
Prograis was always aware of his abilities as a fighter. It wasn’t until he moved to Houston and began training at the Savannah Boxing Gym alongside Evander Holyfield, that he saw boxing as a career.
”I know a lot of boxers in New Orleans, but I learned the business by watching world champions at Savannah in Houston.” Prograis said to Chron.com. Regis discovered black-owned, Savannah Gym on a school trip where he met professional boxers Oscar de la Hoya, Shane Mosley, Rocky Juarez, Guillermo Rigondeaux and Hyland Williams.
The pro’ boxer keeps his Louisiana roots close – wearing a mask of a Cajun mythical creature said to roam the bayou banks at night, known as the Rougarou. However, Regis views Houston as his second home.
”I miss New Orleans, but this is my sacrifice.’’
Mayor Latoya Cantrell awarded Regis Prograis the key to New Orleans for his humanitarian initiatives and demonstration of next level boxing. Regis began his professional boxing career in 2012, stepping in the ring 29 times, and winning 28 matches that included 24 knockouts. Regis became a world champion in 2018 after knocking out Julius Indongo.
In 2021, Mayor Cantrell invited rapper Terius ‘Juvenile’ Gray to City Hall to present him with a ceremonial plaque that honored him as the ‘’Son of the City of New Orleans’’ and presented him with the key to New Orleans.
During their ‘On the Run 2’’ tour in 2018, Beyoncé and Jaz-Z were presented with the key to New Orleans by Mayor Cantrell for giving $100,000 in scholarships in 10 cities.
