While WBC light welterweight champion Regis Prograis gears up for his title defense against Danielito Zorrilla, another formidable figure in the boxing realm, Devin Haney, is poised to keep a keen eye on the bout. Haney, despite having a prior commitment that would prevent his physical presence at the fight, is expected to follow the bout closely.
Promoter Eddie Hearn revealed his plans to approach the undefeated Haney with an offer next week. An air of anticipation surrounds the possible matchup, with Hearn and others in the boxing community speculating that Prograis’ power and resilience could give him a significant edge over Haney. Haney’s past performances, including his recent fight against Vasyl Lomachenko, have raised questions about his ability to withstand powerful punches, which is a hallmark of Prograis' fighting style.
There is a general consensus that Haney may need to acclimatize himself to the 140-lb division before he squares off against a strong opponent like Prograis. The opponents he has faced at 135 lbs might not have provided him with sufficient preparation for this potential match-up. Yet, the boxing world is abuzz with speculations, with analysts such as Sergio Mora favoring Prograis for his strength, power, and impressive record.
However, this has not dimmed the spotlight on Haney, who, despite the recent criticism following his close fight with Lomachenko, is still considered one of the best in the sport. Chris Mannix, during a discussion on DAZN’s JABS, defended Haney's victory against Lomachenko, calling any notion of it being a robbery as “ludicrous.” The future could see an exciting fight between Haney and Prograis, which Mannix believes could be a very closely contested affair if it materializes. Despite some skepticism about Haney’s readiness for such a fight, Mannix is of the view that if given a few months to prepare, Haney could well come out on top.
Image Credit: DAZN