By Vince D’Writer: Super-lightweight contender Danielito Zorrilla receives a golden opportunity as he’s set to travel to New Orleans to challenge the WBC champion Regis “Rougarou” Prograis (28-1, 24 KOs) on Saturday, June 17th at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, live on DAZN.
The two-time 140-pound world champion Regis Prograis announced his homecoming bout during the May 6 Canelo vs. Ryder event. Unfortunately, weeks after the announcement, his opponent Liam Paro had to withdraw from the bout due to an Achilles injury.
The fight was then offered to the #4 ranked WBC contender Arnold Barboza Jr, but a deal never materialized. With three weeks to go before fight night, Danielito Zorrilla agreed to face Prograis as he now has the chance to play the role of spoiler and win a world title.
Zorrilla is a skilled super-lightweight contender who is promoted by the former four-division world champion Miguel Cotto. The Puerto Rican boxing legend Miguel Cotto believes his fighter is a hard worker who is hungry, and he is ready to be a world champion.
A product of Toa Baja, Puerto Rico, Danielito Zorrilla made his pro boxing debut back in November 2016 when he scored a TKO victory over Jesus Gonzalez. After making a successful debut, Zorrilla would go on to win fifteen consecutive bouts.
As he gradually progressed in the rankings, Zorrilla signed up for a tough test back in July 2022, when he agreed to face Arnold Barboza Jr. Zorrilla had success early in the fight landing the right hand, but as Barboza increased his work rate, he was able to take over and earn a unanimous decision victory.
After suffering the first defeat of his pro boxing career, Danielito Zorrilla returned to the squared circle eight months later. His return bout was brief as Zorrilla scored a first round TKO victory over Aristides Quintero.
Now the 29-year-old Danielito “El Zorro” Zorrilla (17-1, 13 KOs) has a chance of a lifetime, as he will fight for a world title on June 17th. Zorrilla will enter the bout as the underdog, but he’s planning on participating in the homecoming and playing the role of the spoiler.
In two of Matchroom Boxing’s most recent homecomings, Montana Love lost his homecoming bout by disqualification to Steve Spark, and Katie Taylor lost by unanimous decision in her homecoming match against the undisputed super-lightweight champion Chantelle Cameron.
Danielito Zorrilla is hoping he can continue the trend by pulling off a massive upset in the WBC champ’s backyard. Zorrilla is a complete boxer who understands distance, and he’s always in position to land sharp counter shots. He believes in his ability and he’s confident he will be able to pull off the upset on June 17th.
“We have waited for this opportunity for a long time in my career, and it has finally arrived. I am ready to be a world champion. I am grateful to Prograis for giving me this opportunity, but on June 17, there will be a new world champion.”
Zorrilla went on to say, “I’ve been watching Prograis for a long time, and I know his style. I know I have the talent and the ability to win by any means. The world will know who Zorro is.”
