By Miguel Maravilla
WBC super lightweight champion Regis Prograis (29-1, 24 KO’s) is set to defend his title this Saturday night at the Chase Center in San Francisco, as the champ will be heading into hostile territory to take on the Bay Area’s own former undisputed lightweight champion Devin Haney (30-0, 15 KO’s) of Oakland live on DAZN Pay Per View.
“It’s not his hometown, he was born there but he is from Henderson, Nevada. I’m not worried about his hometown; his daddy is from there. He never made it out of there, his daddy made it out of there. He grew up privileged and there is nothing wrong with that,” Regis Prograis told Fightnews.com®.
The fight was supposed to take place October 28 but was then scheduled for December as the wait and journey has been a long one for Prograis.
“This is it; I am ready. This fight will put me on the map, I am on the verge of superstardom,” Prograis said about the matchup.
In 2005, a major catastrophe occurred as Hurricane Katrina devastated the entire city of New Orleans, as a young 16-year-old Regis Prograis experienced the disaster and its aftermath. Prograis and his family relocated multiple times from New Orleans to Houston following the hurricane as he faced real-life adversity. Taking up boxing to cope, Prograis began to get serious about the sport. As an amateur, he compiled an 87-7 record and turned pro in 2012.
“I had to grow up early. I had to become a grown man. I know it prepared me for everything that I go through in life, but I am ready,” Prograis explained.
It’s been 18 years since experiencing the hardships and struggles caused by Katrina, Prograis lands the major fight and opportunity on the big stage against the undefeated Haney.
“My road has never been easy. It’s always been bumpy,” Prograis said. “This is the big fight, this is my opportunity to show who I am, and I am super ready for it,”
His opponent, Haney is coming off a unanimous decision win over Vasyl Lomachenko this past May. In a very close and competitive fight, he edged out against the former three-division world champion. Haney also piled up wins against former world champions Yuriorkis Gamboa, Jorge Linares, and Joseph Diaz Jr. and became undisputed by defeating George Kambosos Jr. Haney already announced that he is leaving the 135-pound lightweight division and vacating his undisputed titles in quest for a conquest of the super lightweight title as Prograis awaits him at 140.
“He was the best 135-pound fighter, undisputed, he is a great fighter, very skilled but he hasn’t been in there with someone like me,” Prograis on Haney. “He gets hit and he is going to get hit. If he gets hit by the same things, he got hit by the little guys by me he’s in trouble,” Prograis added.
The Rougarou has won five straight fights since his only defeat, a majority decision loss to Josh Taylor back in 2019, in a slugfest fight that could’ve gone either way. He won the vacant WBC title over Jose Zepeda last year in impressive fashion in scoring an eleventh-round knockout. Prograis won a split decision over Daniel Zorrilla this past summer in June and now will make the second defense of his title.
“I am going to beat him. I am a better fighter,” Prograis said. ”
Wrapping up his preparation, Prograis held his camp at the Brickhouse Boxing Club in North Hollywood, California, with his longtime trainer Bobby Benton as well as adding Julian Chua to the team as he comes into this fight ready to battle. Chua currently trains Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez, John “Scrappy” Ramirez, and Stephen Fulton.
“This camp was longer and harder. More focus and excitement. This preparation has been super good. I have been in camp for like four months, I have been busting my ass, sacrificing a lot. I haven’t seen my kids in a long time and it’s making me meaner and starting to get moody. It’s a part of it,” Prograis on his preparation.
With fight week kicking off, Prograis comes into this fight as a +310 underdog but that does not seem to faze him as it serves as the motivational factor.
“Let him be the favorite. I am confident in myself,”
A win here for Prograis will make him a major player in the super lightweight division which includes WBO champion Teofimo Lopez, IBF champion Subriel Matias, former world champion Jose Ramirez, other talents include undefeated fighters Arnold Barboza, Richardson Hitchins, and the arrival of Ryan Garcia.
“I came to this sport to become a champion and I still want to be champion. A win here definitely catapults me to the top ten pound for pound. That’s what I deserve and now it’s the perfect opportunity to show that,”
There is no question that a victory here is major for Prograis as he hopes to earn the much-needed respect he deserves.
“It’s a big fight, and it’s been a long time coming,” Prograis said. “I’m a two-time world champion and don’t get recognition. I don’t feel like I get the respect but Saturday night, I will earn that respect,” Prograis concluded.
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big fight , hopefully Prograis performs well, and Haney isnt able to stink out the house on his way to a decision
Almost everyone has the same take on this fight. They are right about one thing. Haney will not lose. Regis will drop him twice and be way ahead on everyone’s scorecards but the judges..Watch.. It will be a draw or a 1 point fight for Haney. Let’s talk Sunday morning, all.. It will leave a bad taste in the mouth unless you trust in your plus 1500 on the draw.
Yea I agree
Since Haney is undefeated the judges will protec him
Haney is fast and he will give the impression that he wonThe fight
But prograis is not just any other fighter
Regis will figure it out to win either is Haney run or not …or whatever the plan Haney brings to the ring
Actually I think Regis will knock fían Haney at least once
I like Regis as a boxer and I also want Regis to win because Haney was who started all the trash talking
I will wait til watch the weigh in to give my prediction
I’m pulling for Prograis but he’s just past his prime. Styles make fights and Haneys is wrong for him. Haney will make this boring and Prograis will be chasing him all night trying to land something. Haney by UD
ppv haney forget it save your money not much interest in this fight
Just don’t trust the judges if this goes all 12. Haney already got one gift earlier this year. Will the judges give him a Christmas one too? I sure hope Prograis checks that chin and his nose while we’re at it.
You guys cant let that go? Loma didnt deserve the win. He ran from the fight when he was on top. Then wanted the fight for all the belts when he had nothing, but a name, to offer. Thats Karma!
Loma used the war to justify his inactivity and lost his big shot at undisputed. Loma only has your support for one main reason. And its not because he has a good champ.
Ive always supported Haney because he calls out the best fighters and he gets the most hate. Loma ran and hid instead of giving the opportunity that Haney later granted to him. As a fan, thats huge and should be applauded. Regardless of what you think of the JUDGES decision. And, I also appreciate the great father-son synergy they have.
I got admiration for Prograis as a top-level fighter that has been blocked from big opportunities. He could have easily been undisputed champion if not for politics. He has a major-league left hand. Ive always wished him well and will just say “may the best man win”. Im a fan of both. Looking forward to seeing a good Boxing match.
NJ, All up on Haney’s nuts. You must have watched a different fight because Loma deserved it or you were watching the fight with rose colored glasses because that was a robbery. As for “Haney” taking on all comers what a crock of shhhh that is. He ran out the ring when Shakur “makes you sleepy” Stevenson confronted him. He got chin checked by Linares. Haney wasn’t even on the radar when Loma had the belts. Loma was called to service by his country, I doubt he had much choice, but if he didn’t wouldn’t it be honorable to protect your country even though it was a losing war for Ukraine. Haney does have any honor and honestly would turn his back on his country. As far as his dad, he is loud mouth, that’s it. I like how you elude to me liking Loma. You don’t know anything about me and clearly are one of those idiots that say things for effect, but no evidence which shows your ignorance. So, take your act back to the one brick city.
You’re already on the map Regis. Don’t add extra pressure just show up to win. The W is all that matters.
Need a good gameplan to get past Haneys long and busy jab. And need to throw more than one shot on the way in, and not try to land one big punch like you have in the past.
Then on the inside stay busy with those good sneaky shots you have.
Devin is the better boxer but I believe Regis, who I’m rooting for, can hurt him and beat him. We’ll see
It is funny how everyone is seeing Haney as the one who is the talker in this match. From the time Prograis came on the scene, he has been running up his mouth. I see this as a even match,where any of the 2 of them can be the winner.
Yeah but Haney is from Henderson Nevada. It’s the reason he’s getting hate for acting thugish.
Rooting for Regis in this one….
I like Regis and will put a little $$ on him due to the odds, however he had so many problems with Josh Taylor’s movement I can’t possibly see him being able to catch a track star like Haney. Haney is good in areas and weak in others but holding and speed he has in the bag so this will be a big task for Regis plus the boy can box his ass off too!
A knock would be great because on points we know who is going to be declared the winner !