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Devin Haney spread poisonous praise by calling WBC super lightweight champion Regis Prograis the best boxer in the 63.5 kg class ahead of their fight. Devin Haney doesn’t want to take safe steps in his super lightweight debut against Regis Prograis.
The undefeated lightweight world champion faces a southpaw who he believes is the toughest fighter in the 63.5 kg class. Devin Haney is favored more than 3-1 over Regis Prograis, according to most bookmakers. But Prograis is a two-time 63.5kg super lightweight champion who only lost in a 12-round unanimous decision to former unification champion Josh Taylor.
The 34-year-old Regis Prograis has also won 80 percent of his professional fights by knockout (29-1, 24 KOs) and appears to be the most dangerous fighter Devin Haney (30-0, 15 KOs) has faced since he made his professional debut last month. December 2015.
Haney explained why he felt the need to move up in weight for his next fight and why he insisted on fighting Prograis in an interview with BoxingScene.com. “I felt like it was the right time for me to move up,” Haney said.
“Every fight, you know, has its own challenges. But my body is just – it’s hard to get to 61.2 kilograms. I want to see how I feel at 63.5 kilograms. Obviously, I still have the belt at that weight 61.2 kilograms. You know, it’s still a big fight in the 61.2 kg class.”
“But right now, this is an opportunity for me to become a two-division champion at 63.5 kg. No matter who it is, you know, I’m willing to fight anyone in the 140 division. You know, Regis steps up. And I “I feel Regis is also the best man in the 63.5 kg division. So, I’m happy to be able to have my first fight in the 63.5 kg division against the man who I feel is the best in the 63.5 kg division.”
The 24-year-old Haney defended his IBF, WBA and WBO lightweight titles when he defeated Vasiliy Lomachenko by unanimous decision in his last fight – a hard-fought 12 round fight on May 20 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas. The WBC has downgraded Haney to lightweight champion in the hiatus, which at least gives him the flexibility to fight for the WBC belt if the Henderson, Nevada, native returns to 61.2kg lightweight for his next fight.
Shakur Stevenson (20-0, 10 KOs), a two-division champion from Newark, New Jersey, and Dominican southpaw Edwin De Los Santos (16-1, 14 KOs) are scheduled to fight for the still-held WBC lightweight world title. vacancy on November 16 at T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas.
Meanwhile, Prograis is looking to make up for what he considers a subpar performance on June 17 at the Smoothie King Center in his hometown of New Orleans. The 34-year-old Prograis, of Katy, Texas, defeated Puerto Rico’s Danielito Zorrilla (17-2, 13 KOs) via split decision, although he dropped Zorrilla in the third round and won by a wide margin (118-109, 117 -110, 113-114).
(aww)