Tale of the Tape: Devin Haney vs. Regis Prograis
Here, we look at how Devin Haney, the former undisputed lightweight champion of the world, will fare in his first fight at 140 pounds. He takes on WBC junior welterweight champ Regis Prograis this Saturday in San Francisco. Odds courtesy of theScore Bet.
Devin Haney's rise to the top of the lightweight division began when he was a 17-year-old in Mexico and concluded this past May with an undisputed title defense against Vasiliy Lomachenko. Now, Haney dips his toe into the 140-pound waters for the first time, hoping for similar results.
Standing in his way is Regis Prograis, a hard-hitting New Orleans native who should be a tough test for Haney's first fight at a new weight class.
Since inking their deal in September, the two have engaged in a war of words. Haney questioned Prograis' chin, and "Rougarou" countered by sharing his less-than-stellar opinion of the entire Haney clan, including Devin's father Bill and veteran trainer Freddie Roach.
"I don't respect shit about Devin, the Haneys, I don't respect nothing about none of them dudes on that other side," Prograis recently told Fight Hub TV.
Prograis also stirred the pot with a tweet posted in October, in which he suggested Haney paid to have an early-career loss removed from his record.
So I’m hearing Devin lost a fight in Mexico earlier in his career but he paid to take it off his record. IF that’s true that’s the weakest shit I ever heard so far in boxing. Press conference is Tuesday and y’all reporters better not let this shit slide
— Rougarou (@RPrograis) October 15, 2023
Haney denied the claim, saying Prograis believed a lie made up by fellow boxer Rolly Romero.
But back to the bout.
Haney is one of the sport's slickest fighters. He uses his excellent jab to distance himself and rack up rounds. Prograis, meanwhile, uses a land-a-big-shot approach combined with a pummelling body attack.
Since Prograis struggled mightily against a long-armed Danielito Zorrilla in his last outing, the bout favours Haney and his four-inch reach advantage.
Prograis shouldn't be counted out, though. If he can get inside and catch Haney - who was buzzed by Jorge Linares in 2021, among other instances - with a big shot, he could sway the bout in his favor.
"I think he can take punishment from the little guys because he's so much bigger - he's been so much bigger," Prograis said. "You look at Devin, he has a big size on him. So, coming from that size frame, getting in with those little guys, he can take that punishment. But it's definitely going to be a different story with me. I know he won't be able to take what I got. For 12 rounds? It's not going to happen."
It's boxer versus puncher. Pedigree against determination. Who ya got?