Q & A with Regis Prograis

What do you think about the boxing scene in Houston?

I think there is so much tremendous talent here. I'm really blessed to be here and be around the guys that I train around. A lot of my friends and the people I train around are already world champions and I see the work ethic that they put in to be in the position they're in. It’s a great motivator. Just being around them is a big inspiration and lets me know that I can make my dream a reality one day, if I keep doing the things I'm doing and have patience.

 Why did you get into boxing? 

I got into boxing because I was always rough growing up. I actually love fighting. I remember growing up that I would always want a challenge. I'm just a competitor and I like to prove I'm the best. What really made me start boxing was that when I was in high school and played football and the team would always get in the gloves and spar. I started whooping bigger dudes every week. One day the offensive coordinator for the football team came and saw me beating up on one of the seniors and he told me that I didn't have a future in football and that I needed to quit and start boxing. I turned my equipment in the next day and the rest is history. True Story!

How do you feel about the upcoming event in Galveston, Texas?

I'm excited to be fighting back in Texas. I haven't fought here in a while. The last time I fought in Texas was my 4th pro fight in Houston. I'm ready to show everybody how much I have improved since then. New Orleans is always in my heart but Houston is where I live and anytime that I can fight in Texas or Louisiana I consider it a major plus. Galveston is going to be excited on the 28^th.

What motivates you during training?

I just go. I love the sport and I just want to prove that I'm the best and hopefully to one day I am one of the best in the world. In training I never take a round off. I go hard every round from start to finish.

What is it like to get hit by a punch? 

It's really difficult to describe that feeling. I think the worst punches are body shots. They can freeze you and make your body seem paralyzed. When I first begin boxing I actually liked getting hit. I had the macho man mindset that I can take any punch and not be phased by it. But now I'm older and wiser. I’m pretty good now at not getting hit with anything flush. Especially when it comes to head shots!! They can freeze you and make your body seem paralyzed. I try to make my opponents worry about getting hit; I like to cause the pain. 

Regis Prograis is an accomplished amateur boxer with a professional record of 7-0 (5KO).

Regis is scheduled to return to the ring on March 28^th in Galveston, Texas for the Night of Champions promoted by Pope Promotions.

Find more of Regis Prograis on twitter: https://twitter.com/RegisP124

Q & A with Jamal HD

Houston rap artist Jamal HD answers questions about upcoming project and the current hip-hop scene in his home town.

You have a new project coming out this year 14kt Arcadia. Tell us a little bit about it.

It's not an album, it's a EP. At this point since a lot of people are still finding out more about me, an album wouldn't fit well right now.  I still have a lot of content to deliver for free to those who were fans since day one to new fans I'm gaining now. That's the whole point of this project as a entertainer. So others have something to rely on as being a fan. As for the motive of the project it really is just a portrait I've been looking to paint. So many different emotions and sounds clashing around me I had no choice but to make meaning of it. This is that meaning.

 What unique concepts and inspiration did you use for this project?

I reflected on a lot of things that interested me growing up from hood classic movies to 90's pop and dance. I think I was the only one on my block jamming Daft Punk (laughing).But all those things had something in them I never seen put together ever. Those things honestly made me who I am I guess so why not show the world my interpretation.

 What do you think of the state of hip hop the last few years?

Good actually. A lot of more artists are becoming creative. That's progression on any level. Also it’s more vast now. We are starting to have sub-genres which is beautiful to me. Different sounds... different backgrounds.

 Do you see the Houston music scene changing anytime soon?

(Laughing) I don't know man. I see a couple of artists trying to push it forward. I like Propain. Doughbeezy is cool. The city has something to show. Hopefully the world will accept it with open arms instead of just a hometown thing. I'm about forward thinking. Some people outside the city I've met treat Houston as Ancient Rome damn near when it comes to talent. I still get the "you're from Houston, for real?"

when people first hear me spit. That's my fault though my production doesn't do me hometown justice.

Watch Jamal HD’s new single "Love" on Vevo

Follow Jamal HD on twitter @jamalwuzhere

Night of Champions Boxing Event in Galveston, Texas

POPE PROMOTIONS is bringing Night of Champions, boxing card this March 28^th in Galveston, Texas at the San Louis Resort. 

Night of Champions #NOCGalveston

The Night of Champions features undercard action from undefeated 2011 Olympic Trials Qualifier, Regis Prograis and undefeated 2011 Salvadorian National Champion Pablo Cruz action. Also on the undercard will be the highly anticipated professional debut of decorated amateur Artrimus Sartor and new-comer Jesus Gonzales.

Night of Champions also features the return of super middle weight contender Marcus “Too Much” Johnson as he returns to the ring in hopes to put his name in the hat for title contention. Johnson, who last fight was a unanimous decision loss against a very game Thomas Oosthuizen in 2012, looks to put a notch in the win column.

Co-headlining the card will be regional fan favorites the hard hitting Eugene “Mean Gene” Hill (28-1 19KO) in heavyweight action. Closing out the show in the main event will be Galveston’s own former NABF and USBA Cruiserweight champion Felix “Bad News” Cora Jr. Cora who was participated on the reality show The Contender in 2008, steps into action in a WBF cruiserweight title bout. This will be Felix’s first bout in his home town.

Chauncey Pope, CEO/Owner of Pope Promotions looks to have the first boxing event on the island for 2014 to be a memorable one; “We wanted to compliment the headlining events with some exciting and action packed bouts for the undercard. This is for Galveston and the south east Texas boxing fans.”

* * * * *

The San Luis Resort is located at 5600 Seawall Blvd, Galveston, Texas. Tickets start at $35 with packages available. Doors open at 6:30 PM with the first bell ringing at 7:15 PM. For more ticket information call 832-465-8812 or email cpope.popepromotions@gmail.com.

For media inquiries:

entertainment@majesticraven.com

 281-796-0517.

African American Promoter brings boxing to the Jack Johnson's Island

Chauncey Pope, Owner of Pope Promotions in Galveston, Texas has long been a fan of combat sports. "My father was a fan of boxing and I watched it with him since as long as I could remember. Even in Galveston back in the 80s there were plenty of shows. But it was around 2002, that I really learned more about the sport". In 2002, Pope who has practiced various forms of martial arts met Felix Cora Sr(Father and manager of former NABF cruiser-weight champion Felix Cora Jr.) who he credits as a big influence for him in boxing.

 

Chauncey Pope,Owner of Pope Promotions

"He(Felix, Sr) taught me a lot about boxing from the ground up. Everything from how to fix cuts, build confidence and "bringing a guy back". He taught me stuff that you don't' learn watching TV and reading news articles. It was a huge game changer for me."

Pope hopes to have Pope Promotions as a difference maker and starting point for many of the talented boxers in the Houston- Metro area. "This place (Galveston, Texas) is the birthplace of the first black heavyweight champion of the entire world! Think about it. Mohammed, Lennox, Iron Mike, even Joe Luis were all preceded by Jack Johnson. He paved the way and he was from Galveston. Galveston is a great place to spend your time in the spring and summer with plenty of activities.  We plan on being a part of it."

Even though he is not new to boxing and understands the difficulty that many in the sport face, Chauncey is very optimistic about the potential of his boxing entertainment career.  "I would be lying if I didn't say that I knew of the problems that boxing faces. If you look at any of the high profile African American promoters or managers, they get less than a positive review most of the time. I will admit there are many flaws in the sport and I want my company to not be involved but to solve the problems that fighters face in their career. Just because you pay the fighters don't mean you own them or their career.  My goals and my job are to put on action packed and entertaining events for people period. There are a lot of talented fighters in this area and I want to help them build their career to title shots."