FANTASY FIGHTS: Regis Prograis vs Devin Haney at 140!
Why Matchroom or Skills Challenge should deliver the Super-Lightweight fight between Regis Prograis and Devin Haney!
Regis Prograis’ recent flat performance has galvanized calls from Devin Haney to take on the New Orleans super-lightweight world champion, fancying his chances even more in the fight. In a sense both men have a point to prove.
Prograis will want to show that he’s better than his display against Zorilla. On Haney’s side, he will surely want to silence critics that screamed robbery in the Lomachenko undisputed fight, despite it being a close encounter.
The reason why I want to see Prograis take on Haney over say a Jack Catterall is because I rate Haney incredibly highly, and think him and Catterall are both highly-skilled technical fighters, but Haney is a level above right now and also has greater big fight experience.
The stumbling block to any fantasy fight is always financial, but with Canelo penning a three fight deal with PBC, Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing will have more budget to entice Haney to commit to a contract to face Prograis.
Alternatively, Haney is set to sign with Saudi-bankrolled Skills Challenge. As a proud Muslim boxer, there would certainly be an appetite from the powers that be within the Kingdom to grant the keys t Haney for yet another major fight.
Prograis also has monetary incentive to sign up to the clash. He simply doesn’t draw in New Orleans, and his marketability won’t have been enhanced by the Zorrilla fight.
There is sporting upside to taking the fight for Prograis. I always feels that a fighter moving up to a new weight class is best to catch early-doors, before they’ve settled into the division.
As for how the fight goes, I think Prograis doesn’t have the boxing IQ of Haney, but he does have the power deferential, in his favor.
Haney’s body punching was elite against Lomachenko, but I would have liked to have seen him get behind the jab more, his greatest weapon in his arsenal.
If he can keep Prograis on the end of that stiff jab and work the body, the cards are firmly in his hands.
But Haney hasn’t mixed with a puncher like Prograis, whose ruthless finishing ability shouldn’t be underestimated off the back of one dud against Zorilla.
All that’s left to say, is we just have to hope Matchroom or Skills Challenge dig into their pockets and deliver a fantastic match-up for boxing fans!
By Harry Duffy
Also Read: OTW Haney, Lomachenko, and Nakatani: A Purists Dream and a Must See Thunderous Left Hand