Juan Heraldez hopes experience under Floyd Mayweather Jr. will equal a win over Regis Prograis

Boxer Juan Heraldez had big dreams when he turned professional, but at times it has been a nightmare. He hopes a win over Regis Prograis brings new hopes. 

Junior welterweight boxer Juan Heraldez knew from an early age that he wanted to be a professional boxer. He became infatuated with big hopes and dreams, but the boxing business quickly eroded his ideal vision of the sport.

Heraldez (16-0-1, 10 KOs) was born in California, but his family moved to Las Vegas, Nevada, when he was six years old. It didn’t take long before the boxing city intoxicated him with thoughts of greatness in the ring.

“For me growing up in Vegas was pretty cool,” Heraldez told FanSided. “I got to see a lot of pros coming in and out of the gym, which was pretty cool. It was like a cool thing to see as a kid and then me wanting the same attention that these pros got and stuff like that.”

Heraldez took up boxing at the age of eight, and he showed promise early on. As an amateur, Heraldez fought 94 bouts and won numerous tournaments and titles. By the time he entered high school, Heraldez realized that boxing was his future. After his sophomore year in high school, Heraldez decided that school was out forever. He dropped out to pursue his boxing desires.

“No regrets about leaving school for boxing,” said Heraldez. “I just felt like I was wasting my time at school. When I was cutting weight for tournaments, I didn’t want to go to lunch with kids that don’t understand what I’m going through. I think it was like the third, no fourth grade. I told myself I already knew what I was going to do.”

Heraldez’s parents didn’t object. He was actually a bit surprised they were so enthusiastic in supporting his decision.

“It was actually more like me trusting my parents. Just like more of my parents’ question, like, well, what made y’all think that I could believe a sixteen-year-old kid?” laughed Heraldez at the memory.

Heraldez turned professional at the age of 19. In the first three years of his career, Heraldez only fought three times. His idyllic vision of boxing crumbled as the business’s dark side started to do a number on the young, hopeful boxer.

“Yeah, everything was pretty much a horror,” recalled Heraldez. “It was a wake-up call. Growing up in the boxing lane in2000, boxing was different. Everybody says like, ‘Oh, the good old days,’ like my coach says. It was a rude awakening. I had a whole dream of what it was. And at first, it was hard. It wasn’t easy at all. I definitely took a harder route.”

Juan Heraldez had to deal with a lot of wooden nickels early in his career, but Mayweather Promotions helped his career take shape

Bad business dealings with managers and multiple arbitrations made boxing a tenuous endeavor for Heraldez. He spent a lot of time out of the ring battling red tape on the business end.

Then, Heraldez got an opportunity that would change things. He was asked if he wanted to spar Floyd Mayweather, who was preparing for his first fight with Marcos Maidana. Heraldez jumped at the chance. The occasion to share the ring with a legend was an eye-opener for Heraldez.

“You have to be sharp the whole sparring session, and sometimes it’s four or five, six-minute rounds,” said Heraldez. “You do those types of things, and that was just preparing your body for it too.”

Mayweather liked what he saw from Healdez and signed him to Mayweather Promotions shortly after their time in camp. Since then, Heraldez has been on a tear. Heraldez sports an undefeated record. He fought to a draw against veteran Aregenis Mendez in his last fight in 2019, but now, Heraldez has the biggest fight of his career coming up.

On the undercard of the Halloween Showtime pay-per-view card featuring Gervonta Davis vs. Leo Santa Cruz, Heraldez meets former WBA junior welterweight champion Regis Prograis. Prograis’ only loss came via a close majority decision against unified champion Josh Taylor.

Prograis (24-1, 20 KOs) is a heavy betting favorite, according to Oddsshark.com. Most betting brokerages have Heraldez as an 8-1 underdog, which are steep odds. Regardless, Harldez is optimistic about his chances of pulling off the win.

“I think it’s gonna go in my favor,” predicted Heraldez. “That’s for sure. I expect to have no bruising on my face and him to have bruising and swelling and all that stuff. I’m planning on him missing a lot and me hitting a lot.”

A win over Prograis could the penultimate Heraldez needs to enter the discussion for championship-level fights. He’s not looking that far ahead. Heraldez is doing this one for respect.

“For respect, I’m going to take it. After I beat Regis, everybody has to respect me.”

The junior welterweight showdown between Juan Heraldez and Regis Prograis goes down on the undercard of Davis vs. Santa Cruz on Saturday, Oct. 31. Coverage begins at 9 p.m. ET on Showtime pay-per-view.