The Rougarou is a mythical werewolf-like creature that, according to lore, stalks the Louisiana bayou and haunts the dreams of local kids, the same way New Orleans native Regis Prograis (nicknamed "The Rougarou") is now haunting boxing's 140-pound weight division.
Prograis needed fewer than six minutes to demolish each of his last two opponents -- previously undefeated Joel Diaz Jr. and former world champion Julius Indongo both were second-round KO victims.
Prograis now holds the WBC's interim world championship belt at 140 pounds, and is the mandatory challenger for unbeaten Jose Ramirez, the WBC's regular super lightweight champ.
We spoke in-depth to "The Rougarou" about his remarkable life -- he survived Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans, then Hurricane Harvey in Houston,. where he now lives and trains.
This is a candid revealing conversation with a fighter the boxing world is destined to get to know much better in future months and years.
Before our interview with Regis Prograis, you'll hear Paul McLaughlin's update from the United Kingdom, and also John J. Raspanti 's analysis of Canelo's "Meatgate" or "Cheatgate" scandal -- and his surprising take on what should be done about it. We also discuss Joseph Parker's chances of upsetting Anthony Joshua on Saturday night, Dana White's attempts to poach boxing by making lucrative UFC offers to Joshua ($500 million) and Floyd Mayweather ($1 billion for four fights), and Bob Arum's move to promote fighters currently signed under "advisory" contracts to Al Haymon. It's cloak and dagger everywhere we look in the often-shadowy world of professional boxing.
Dennis Taylor is host of The Ringside Boxing Show, editor/publisher of www.ringsideboxingshow.com, and co-author (with John J. Raspanti) of "Intimate Warfare: The True Story of the Arturo Gatti vs. Micky Ward Boxing Trilogy," currently on Amazon's Bestseller list.