When requested to debate the stakes in Saturday’s WBC 140-pound title bout between defending champion Regis Prograis and former undisputed light-weight king Devin Haney, promoter Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Sport could not assist however appear giddy.
“I believe it is a 50/50 struggle on Saturday and I can not wait,” Hearn advised “Morning Kombat” on Thursday. “It is only a super matchup with so many inquiries to be answered.”
Though the 25-year-old Haney (30-0, 15 KOs) is technically a 4-1 betting favourite, in accordance with most oddsmakers, that is really lots nearer to the “50/50” threshold Hearn talked about than lots of boxing’s typical headlining bouts. However the half the place Hearn could not be extra right forward of this extremely anticipated showdown contained in the Chase Heart in San Francisco (DAZN PPV, 8 p.m. ET) are the questions.
Prograis (29-1, 24 KOs) is recent off such a poor exhibiting within the first protection of his second title reign at 140 kilos, in a split-decision win in opposition to Danielito Zorrilla in June, that some have questioned whether or not the 34-year-old slugger has proven marked indicators of decline. Haney, in the meantime, brings a unique set of questions forward of his junior welterweight debut, together with whether or not his chin and energy will carry up with him, and whether or not followers really imagine he received his final struggle in Might when he took dwelling a disputed determination win over Vasily Lomachenko.
No matter stated questions, followers expect an fascinating type conflict because the lengthy, technical Haney pairs his educated jab and elegant footwork in opposition to the brawling, aggressive type of the southpaw Prograis.
“I believe he’s good however I simply do not assume he has what it takes to beat me,” Prograis advised CBS Sports activities on Monday. “Yeah, he is good however I simply know that I’m higher. I actually do not assume he’s nearly as good as individuals assume he’s. Lots of people take a look at the skin stuff as a substitute of the within stuff. He was undisputed at 135 however was he actually the perfect fighter at 135? I do not assume so. I am not overlooking him or something however it’s simply going to be one other night time.”
For Haney, the struggle represents an thrilling reunion with Hearn after the boxer nicknamed “The Dream” left Matchroom Sport and DAZN for a three-fight run on ESPN (via co-promoters High Rank and DiBella Leisure) which noticed Haney accrue hundreds of thousands of {dollars} via a two-fight collection in Australia with George Kambosos Jr., which ended with Haney unifying all 4 world titles at 135 kilos.
Not solely does Hearn haven’t any onerous emotions for Haney leaving, he in contrast the connection to the one he has with Mexican icon Canelo Alvarez, who has come and gone from Matchroom Sport in recent times each time the appropriate set of fights materialized. The most important distinction for Haney is that that is the technique that he and his father/coach/supervisor, Invoice Haney, have carried out from the start, together with when Haney first went to Mexico in 2015 to show professional as a youngster as a substitute of chasing the standard beginner and Olympic journey.
“I believe being a free agent, or somebody that strikes throughout networks, is dangerous,” Hearn stated. “It would not provide the safety you may want in your profession however when you again your self, it lets you struggle the fights that you just need to be in throughout totally different networks and promoters. And once we signed Devin, we actually took an opportunity with him as such a younger man. We had a dream that he would turn into undisputed light-weight world champion with us.
“I’ve bought to say, there’s not a lot loyalty in boxing, however this child did every thing that he may to stick with us, to the purpose the place I even stated to him, ‘Mate, you have to do it,’ and he stated, ‘Let me make these fights and I promise you that I will likely be again.’ True to his phrase, he got here again.”
Cannot get sufficient boxing and MMA? Get the newest on the planet of fight sports activities from two of the perfect within the enterprise. Subscribe to Morning Kombat with Luke Thomas and Brian Campbell for the perfect evaluation and in-depth information.
Haney did not simply come again, he returned armed with the type of verbal vengeance that has made this such an thrilling construct. Prograis has spent most of his time attacking Haney for his perceived lack of energy whereas Haney has targeted on the sizable benefit in pure talent that he expects to carry over the extra uncooked and aggressive Prograis.
The pre-fight construct has additionally given Haney an opportunity to echo the remainder of the boxing world on questioning what precisely occurred to Prograis in his June homecoming in New Orleans in opposition to Zorrilla. Prograis appeared lifeless as the specter of Zorrilla’s energy appeared sufficient to self-discipline his opponent in 12-round bout that was largely void of exercise.
Prograis was very sincere when requested to pinpoint what went mistaken, citing the stress that got here with being the A-side of, what was anticipated to be, a hometown showcase struggle. The native of New Orleans, who relocated to Houston after Hurricane Katrina, blamed the truth that he stopped by his mom’s home simply hours earlier than the occasion and have become embroiled in a distracting ticket controversy that he now credit as a blessing in disguise.
“If I needed to thank anyone, it was Zorrilla,” Prograis stated. “If that struggle would not have occurred, I might by no means be getting this shot. If I had knocked him out within the first few rounds, like I usually do, I would not be getting this chance. For me, it was simply an off night time. He got here to run across the ring all night time as a alternative on three weeks’ discover. It is no excuse however you’re solely nearly as good as your final struggle and I can not wait to show it.”
Contemplating the Zorrilla struggle additionally marked Prograis’ personal return to Matchroom Sport after bouncing round promotionally in recent times, it comes as no shock that Hearn would equally downplay the deserves of such an underwhelming efficiency.
“I believe, because the [Haney] struggle will get nearer, individuals are beginning to give Regis an actual shot,” Hearn stated. “There’s most likely an excessive amount of consideration and evaluation on the Zorilla efficiency as a result of I simply do not assume he may get himself up for that struggle. My God, he’s up for this struggle and Haney higher be able to be hit more durable than he ever has been hit earlier than.”
With no scarcity of huge names in and across the division, Hearn believes the winner of Saturday’s struggle “should struggle” Ryan Garcia subsequent. It is an concept that will be straightforward to obtain as a result of, not solely does Garcia maintain curiosity, the 25-year-old star additionally fights for DAZN however below the Golden Boy Promotions banner.
All Prograis desires to speak about, nonetheless, is what he plans on doing to Haney first.
“Haney is anyone that desires to show himself,” Prograis stated. “I believe that when the struggle will get onerous — and it should get onerous – he will not lay down however he’s going to be pressured to put down. That’s what I’m going to do. I do not assume he’s one that can give up however I’m going to pressure him to put down. It may be 12 rounds of f—ing hell. That is what I’m ready for. Something he can do, I’m ready for.”
The undercard sees a trio of bouts within the decrease weight divisions. One other pair of 140-pounders get a featured slot when Liam Paro takes on Montana Love. Lightweights Andy Cruz and Jovanni Staffon are set to sq. off. One other web sensation Ebanie Bridges is about to tackle Miyo Yoshida for the vacant IBF girls’s bantamweight crown.
“I have been desirous to struggle right here in America on a giant platform like DAZN,” Bridges stated on the ultimate press convention this week. “I am actually excited to be right here. I like combating, for me to be out for an entire 12 months was actually robust. Nevertheless it’s occurring this weekend, I am targeted on this weekend, getting via Yoshida. I do know that she’s going to carry a struggle and after that we’ll give attention to 2024 and my targets from there.”
Let’s take a better take a look at the chances for every bout on the primary card earlier than attending to a prediction and professional decide on the primary occasion beneath.
Combat card, odds
| Devin Haney -480 | Regis Prograis +360 | Vacant WBC junior welterweight title |
| Liam Paro -178 | Montana Love +143 | Junior welterweights |
| Andy Cruz -3500 | Jovanni Straffon +1350 | Lightweights |
| Ebanie Bridges (c) -600 | Miyo Yoshida +430 | IBF bantamweight title |
Viewing info
- Date: Dec. 9
- Location: Chase Heart — San Francisco, California
- Begin time: 8 p.m. ET
- How you can watch: DAZN PPV (Subscribe now) | Value: $59.99
Prediction
If Prograis is unable to get inside, this might show to be a really, very lengthy night time for him.
Few boxers, even at his younger age, have the kind of technical mastery and defensive dominance that Haney does. And after years of constructing a tough reduce to 135 kilos as an enormous light-weight, Prograis might discover out the onerous manner simply how a lot Haney’s energy, stamina and explosiveness may improve when he isn’t as bodily taxed on the increased weight.
The one actual query mark that has ever been proven by Haney is whether or not or not he has the chin to outlive the kind of two-action that Prograis plans to ship however so few have been capable of create in opposition to Haney.
Former light-weight champion Jorge Linares harm Haney late of their 2021 bout, forcing Haney to carry on and circle away till the ultimate bell. That was the final time, nonetheless, that Haney has discovered himself in a very compromising place as few boxers, no matter weight, have loved the kind of management that Haney displays behind his educated jab.
Whereas Prograis is uniquely expert sufficient to offer Haney hassle in pockets, notably ought to he show capable of reduce off the ring persistently, it is troublesome to think about him combating any higher than he did in his lone professional defeat. Prograis dropped a aggressive break up determination to former undisputed 140-pound champion Josh Taylor of their World Boxing Tremendous Sequence finale of their 2019 thriller, however it was the type of enjoyable struggle that makes it troublesome imagining Haney being a prepared participant.
Search for Haney to spend a lot of the bout utilizing his footwork to keep away from tight areas whereas choosing Prograis aside from distance in a struggle that’s horny on paper however has an excessive amount of potential to be a one-sided clinic.
Decide: Haney through UD12
Who wins Devin Haney vs. Regis Prograis, and which prop is a must-back? Visit SportsLine now to see Peter Kahn’s best bets for Saturday, all from the boxing specialist who has netted his followers a revenue of almost $4,000, and discover out.
