Fight Picks: Devin Haney vs. Regis Prograis

On Saturday, WBC 140-pound titlist Regis Progais will face former undisputed lightweight champion Devin Haney in a 12-round contest at the Chase Center, San Francisco, California.

​The two will meet in what promises to be an absorbing clash of styles on DAZN. The broadcast begins at 9 p.m. ET/ 6 p.m. PT.

Prograis, The Ring’s No. 2-rated junior welterweight, earned a reputation with some impressive performances on ShoBox against Amos Cowart (UD 8), Abel Ramos (RTD 8) and Joel Diaz Jr. (TKO 2). The southpaw boxer-puncher built on those wins by stopping former unified 140-pound titleholder Julius Indongo (TKO 2) and dominating former lightweight titleholder Terry Flanagan (UD 12). He won the WBA title by taking apart Kiryl Relikh (TKO 6). He lost for the first time in an action-packed encounter with Taylor.

To his credit, the 34-year-old old bounced back with three wins and stopped top contender Jose Zepeda (TKO 11) to win the vacant WBC title. He has since defended it in a homecoming though wasn’t impressive against Danielito Zorrilla (SD 12).

Haney, who enters this contest as The Ring’s lightweight champion, turned professional at 17 in Mexico. This super talent scored wins over Mason Menard (RTD 9), Juan Carlos Burgos (UD 10) and Antonio Moran (KO 7). After being upgraded to full WBC titleholder following his dominant win over Zaur Abdullaev (RTD 4), he defended his title, notably beating former three-division titlist Jorge Linares (UD 12) and former 130-pound beltholder Joseph Diaz Jr. (UD 12).

The 25-year-old scored a dominant win over IBF, WBA and WBO titleholder and then-The Ring champion George Kambosos Jr. (UD 12) to become undisputed champion and repeated the win in a rematch. Most recently, he edged past Vasiliy Lomachenko (UD 12) in contentious fashion.

How will Prograis (29-1, 24 knockouts) deal with the speed and movement of Haney? Haney (30-0, 15 KOs) will be stepping up to 140-pounds for the first time against a big, strong, aggressive fighter, how will he find that? Prograis was far from impressive in his last fight. Was that the beginning of him slipping or was it simply an off-night? Haney will be fighting at home and while that will surely boast him, how will he be with the added distractions and pressures that come with that?

Online gambling group William Hill lists Haney as an 2/7 (-350) favorite, while Prograis is priced at 5/2 (+250); the draw is 18/1 (+1800).

Here’s how the experts see it: THE RING

DOUG FISCHER: PROGRAIS LATE TKO
“I know I’m going against the ‘chalk’ and the opinions of the majority of fans and media interested in this fascinating stylistic matchup of top-tier fighters, and maybe I’m biased because of my southern Louisiana roots, but I envision Prograis scoring a dramatic come-from-behind stoppage in the championship rounds. Maybe this is a heart pick but it didn’t come easy. There are X-factors to this matchup, such as Haney’s new weight class and the wear and tear on Prograis’ body. Like most observers, I believe that Haney will be stronger and athletic with more stamina weighing in five pounds heavier than he has for his entire pro career. He’s got the frame to fight comfortably at welterweight and he’s entering his physical prime at age 25. Prograis is nine years older at 34 and there’s a very real possibility that he ‘died on the vine’ between his two world title victories (vs. Kiryl Relikh in early 2019 and Jose Zepeda in late 2022). He’s had his share of hard fights and it’s possible that making 140 pounds no longer agrees with his aging body. However, while Prograis is past his athletic prime, he’s far from shot and his spirit will be up for this showdown. Stylistically, Haney will pose problems that were exposed in Prograis’ last fight. He was unable to cut the ring off on Zorrilla. However, part of why Zorrilla was able to neutralize Prograis’ aggression was his refusal to engage after his knockdown in Round 3. Haney is young, confident and feeling stronger than ever. I don’t he’s going to try to stink it out. I think he’ll seek to control the distance with authority, pumping a hard, busy jab. He’ll let his hands go a lot more than Zorrilla and give Prograis opportunities to counter and press. Lomachenko had success forcing Haney to the ropes throughout their close fight. Prograis doesn’t have Loma’s footwork to quickly close the gap, or the creative angles in close, but I think given enough rounds, he’ll find the mark, and unlike the smaller Ukrainian, his punches will do damage. He might be able to turn the fight with one shot, but I see battle of attrition over the second half of the bout. Haney has excellent experience for fighter his age, but he’s not a kill-or-be-killed type of dude. He doesn’t have Prograis’ grit and determination after 10 rounds. I think Prograis overwhelms a game Haney in Round 11 or 12.”

ANSON WAINWRIGHT: HANEY UD
“An excellent clash of styles. Haney looked like he had outgrown the lightweight division when he fought Lomachenko last time out, so the extra five-pound should help him. While Prograis didn’t look himself when he met Danielito Zorrilla. Neither man can afford to fight like they did in their last fight and will have to return to their best. I can see either a path to victory for both men. However, I lean towards, the younger Haney. I feel his movement will give Prograis a lot of trouble and when he is in front of the defending titleholder, he’ll keep him honest with the jab and right hands. Prograis will pile forward in the middle rounds and have some success but ultimately, Haney will win a unanimous decision, something like 8-4, which translates to 116-112.”

LEE GROVES: HANEY PTS
“There is a path for Prograis to win: Get inside, rough him up, blast the body and especially hurt Haney early. If he can do that, all bets are off because Haney has been hit and hurt by smaller men than “Rougarou,” who is also a good finisher. However, my head says Haney on points because he’s younger by nine years, he’s fresher and he’s an excellent long-range boxer with plenty of title-fight experience. If he can establish his jab against the southpaw as well as dig in the body shots that have become an important part of his game, he will be well on his way to victory. It also helps that the fight is being staged in Haney’s birthplace of San Francisco, though it appears he’s much more associated with Las Vegas. Prograis will be better than he showed against Zorrilla and Haney will be better than he showed against Lomachenko, so we should be in for a fascinating fight.”

DIEGO MORILLA: HANEY PTS
“It may end up being a wider decision win for Haney, but I am betting on a very close points win for him. Prograis is always super motivated and in great shape, but it takes a special kind of ring IQ to overcome everything Haney has to offer, and I haven’t seen it in him yet. If the fight is close in the last few rounds, Haney has the tools to find a way to win the last few points at play and get the ‘W’. A walk in the park it won’t be for anyone, but it’s clearly Haney’s fight to lose.”

MARTY MULCAHEY: HANEY UD
“I refuse to jump off the Devin Haney bandwagon, despite believing he lost to Lomachenko, and find the criticism of his record unfounded. Also been an admirer of Regis Prograis for his willingness to fight anyone, anywhere. So, this is hard, but in an evenly matched pairing, I am going with younger and slicker Haney. I look for Haney to frustrate the more aggressive ‘Rougarou’, countering and moving to establish better positions in the middle of the ring. By the fourth Regis is hesitating while Haney times his shots. Ultimately, what Haney learned from the Loma fight gets him a unanimous decision victory against Prograis.”

NORM FRAUENHEIM: HANEY UD
“Haney is younger, fresher and anxious to make an impression in a junior-welterweight debut in front of a hometown crowd. That said, he’ll have to keep his emotions in check. Regis Prograis’ skillset showed some erosion in his last outing. But he’s still got power, enough of it to upset Haney if he gets careless. Haney knows that. Expect him to employ his smarts, agile feet and terrific jab to control the distance and the fight.”

BOXING INSIDERS

DUKE MCKENZIE (FORMER THREE-DIVISION TITLEHOLDER/TV ANALYST): HANEY UD
“Prograis is a solid champion. While he does the basics well, he’s not what you might call a standout champion. Haney on the other hand, is tipped for stardom. The former undisputed lightweight champion takes a step up in weight to challenge, not only for the belt, but his place in the pack in the pound-for-pound ratings. I would almost bank on a Haney win by wide unanimous decision.”

MARC RAMSAY (TRAINER): HANEY UD
“Regis Prograis is physically strong enough and a good boxer to compete even with a boxer as talented as Haney but when you see how Zorrilla annoyed him with a bit of movement and speed, I have a hard time seeing him cause the upset. I see an interesting fight but dominated by Haney. Haney by 12-round unanimous decision.”

CHRIS ALGIERI (FORMER WORLD CHAMPION/ COMMENTATOR): HANEY PTS
“I think Haney’s discipline and ability to stick to the game plan and box will win him the day in a very competitive fight. I got Haney by decision.”

JOSH TAYLOR (FORMER UNDISPUTED JUNIOR WELTERWEIGHT TITLEHOLDER): HANEY UD
“I’m slightly more in favor of Haney in this fight. Going on their last performances, I thought Haney was great against Loma and I didn’t think Prograis looked too good. Although Haney is coming up in weight, he’s still bigger and stronger than Prograis. He’s younger and fresher but I’m excited to watch this fight. Haney unanimous decision.”

STEVE FARHOOD (TV ANALYST): PROGRAIS PTS
“It’s probably the right time for Haney to move up to 140, but the obvious question will be whether he’ll be strong enough to keep Prograis at bay. Prograis will have to win rounds on aggressiveness; in a fight likely to go the distance, he won’t be able to win a decision by boxing patiently. I lean toward Prograis in a close decision.”

TOM GRAY (FORMER MANAGING EDITOR FOR THE RING): HANEY UD
“I’m a huge believer in Prograis and if he were to win this fight, then I wouldn’t be in the least bit surprised. My reticence to pick him over Haney is two-fold. First, Regis really didn’t look good against Danielito Zorrilla, whose game plan was to minimise Prograis’ offensive output. Bottom line: Very few fighters in the world are better at switching off an aggressor than Haney, so I think the former lightweight king knows how to get the job done here. Second, Prograis is approaching 35 years of age, so the timing of the bout suits the 25-year-old Haney down to the ground. If there’s a knockout, it’s all Regis. My official pick is Devin on a points decision.”

JOE ROTONDA (MATCHMAKER, MAIN EVENTS): HANEY UD
“This is a very interesting fight, Haney is young and not even in his prime yet, but he’s benefiting greatly from the experience he has gained in recent years. His last six wins have come against former world champions, and I think that experience will carry over into this fight. Regis Prograis is a beast and will have to make this fight ugly if he wants to win. He cannot sit there and try to outbox Haney, he will have to fight his way inside and make Devin uncomfortable. However, I think Haney’s jab will be the key here, he will keep Prograis at bay and earn a unanimous decision win in the process.”

ROBERT DIAZ (MATCHMAKER): HANEY UD
“Boxing returns to the Bay and in good, exciting fashion. A clash of styles, two very confident fighters and two good, strong champions. Prograis will be the aggressor and look to cut the ring and punish Devin in short. Devin will box and use his skills to control and dominate Regis at a distance. Who can impose their will over the other, that is the question. Do not expect a war, as much as Regis would like that, it will not happen. I see this fight starting fast with Regis coming out fast in Round 1. However, after about four rounds Devin begins to control the outside with his jab and slows down the pace of the fight. In the end in a close, entertaining bout, I believe we will hear and NEW junior welterweight champion! Haney 12-round unanimous decision.”

RICH MAROTTA (COMMENTATOR): HANEY UD
“Looking forward to Haney-Prograis, but I’m afraid it might fall into the category of many others we’ve anticipated this year. In other words, what seems to be competitive going in, turns out to be one-sided in the ring. Haney is an elite fighter with elite skills and still on the ascendancy. Prograis is dangerous yes, and may have a few big moments but the styles will work against him in this one. Haney by wide unanimous decision.”

RUDY HERNANDEZ (TRAINER): HANEY UD
“Interesting fight. A fight that will start slow, as both are counterpunchers, neither are really aggressive. I think in Round 7 or 8 Haney will step it up as he will have Prograis timing figured out. I hope I’m wrong and it’s Fight of the Year but you can’t teach certain things. Either you’re aggressive or you’re not. Prograis will try to step it up in Rounds 11 and 12 but will be out of luck. In an OK fight, Haney wins a unanimous decision 118-110, or 117-111. Not so exciting but we’ll see good boxing.”

​WAYNE MCCULLOUGH (FORMER WORLD CHAMPION/ TRAINER): HANEY PTS
“Prograis may give Haney some problems with his southpaw stance, and he’ll get hit with looping lefts a lot early on, but Haney should be able to adjust and start landing straight rights to the head and consistent left jabs to Prograis’ head to win the close rounds. I expect Haney to pull off a points decision by at least 8 rounds to 4.”

TONY TOLJ (MANAGER): HANEY PTS
“Prograis-Haney is a very intriguing fight. I think you will see a well improved Prograis from his last performance. He is a classy fighter who I believe is invigorated for this match. Haney is class fighter who is simply fighting the best out there. Back-to-back southpaws, nobody wants to fight them but he is doing so. I see Haney out-working and out-jabbing Regis and I think that’s the difference. 7 rounds to 5 Devin Haney.”

RAUL MARQUEZ (FORMER WORLD CHAMPION/COMMENTATOR): PROGRAIS TKO 11
“Haney has to box, box and box. Use his boxing abilities, keep circling around Prograis throwing fast combos. Prograis needs to close the distance quick with constant pressure and body attacks. Don’t let Haney think, break his will. I believe the fight is decided in second half and Prograis gets a late-round stoppage. Prograis Round 11.”

JOHN SCULLY (TRAINER): HANEY PTS
“I see Devin having some rocky moments and having to take some time to make some big adjustments but at the end of 12 rounds his speed advantage will prove to be the difference and he will win a relatively close decision.”

Final Tally: Haney 17-3

 

Questions and/or comments can be sent to Anson at [email protected] and you can follow him on

Twitter@AnsonWainwright