Back in the ring after 11 months of inactivity, Regis Prograis stops Tyrone McKenna

Former WBA junior welterweight champion Regis Prograis stopped tough Tyrone McKenna in round six at Duty Free Tennis Stadium in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. 

The time was 1:40 seconds into round six. 

Prograis is now the mandatory challenger in the junior welterweight division.

In round one, former junior welterweight champion Prograis (27-1, 23 KOs) sized up the much (much) taller McKenna. Both fighters jabbed. McKenna (22-3, 6 KOs) moved to his right – while southpaw Prograis fired several lefts and rights. In round two, Prograis stepped in and landed a wicked left that put McKenna on his back. McKenna got up with a smile on his face – which Prograis,33, knocked it off with body and headshots. 

Mckenna stayed upright. 

McKenna, also a southpaw, came out jabbing in round three. Prograis, relaxed and lethal, fired sweeping hooks. McKenna, with only six knockouts, wanted to box. Prograis inched forward - the assassin in waiting. Another big left hurt McKenna. Belfast native McKenna likes to fight on the inside, even though that is not the best strategy.

Prograis clocked McKenna with a counter left in round five. McKenna,32, was hanging in. He scored with a couple of lefts. Both fighters scored with blows. Prograis appeared to have banked the first five rounds. 

McKenna waved to the crowd in round six. The last round had given him some hope. Now it was Mckenna who moved forward. Prograis, boxing more, hurt McKenna with bodywork. McKenna’s left eye, damaged earlier in the bout, was bleeding badly. The doctor was called in to inspect the cut. He told the referee that the fight was over. 

“I knew he was tough,” said Prograis. I dropped him. I knew he’d get up. I stayed calm.”