BANGER IN THE BAY
Regis Prograis and Devin Haney are ready to clash in one of the year’s most anticipated, and potentially barbaric, fights.
Now, I know what you’re thinking, the last four years that have encompassed Haney’s lightweight supremacy have hardly been filled with your Corrales-Castillo type stuff.
Haney is a typical counterpuncher, a fighter whose entertainment value relies solely on the strategy of his opponent. Put him in front of a mirror, and he would never throw a punch.
Yet this time, Haney is faced with a fighter in Prograis who is a dog. His desire to fight outweighs his desire to box, making him wildly dangerous.
It is a potentially mouthwatering scenario.
Yet whilst boxing fans salivate at the prospect, it is the mouths of both Haney and Prograis that have ran this fight into what appears to be a malevolent grudge match.
In fact, the pair aren’t alone. Devin’s father and trainer Bill Haney, and Regis’ S&C coach Evins Tobler, have themselves been at the centre of a verbal spat, and neither are willing to budge.
It adds just that little bit of spice that could well draw these two into a ferocious classic.
Of course, like any fight, it could go the opposite way. If Haney is to stick to the outline that led him to his lightweight triumph, then he should walk away as a two-weight world champion.
His ability to work the body - an area to which Prograis looked vulnerable against Zorilla - could play a huge part in any success. Haney likes to use said body work to lower opponents’ guards, creating avenues to land his right-hand upstairs.
Prograis’ instruction manual, meanwhile, will read clear and concise - he must give Haney no rest.
His ability to cut off the ring, fight through the clinch, and apply incessant pressure can take Haney to a place he hasn’t yet had to go in his 30-fight professional career.
Then, and only then, will we see the fight that we crave.
However it is to play out, both men know that nothing less than their a-game will wash if they are to leave as the division’s daddy.
For Haney, a win over Prograis would double down on just how elite he actually is. His first foray into the 140lb lion pit, and he would comfortably hold the division’s most impressive victory.
For Prograis, a career best victory would serve a mighty two fingers to those who feel at 34 years of age, his crown is beginning to slip.
My pick? I think I have splinters in my arse.
From The Bay to Bournemouth, where there is world title action this weekend too, as Chris Billam-Smith defends his WBO cruiserweight belt against Polish veteran Mateusz Masternak.
Yes, that is the same one who just under a decade ago fought Tony Bellew.
Inactive and ageing, Masternak will likely be no match for Billam-Smith, whose performance on Sunday night will carry itself into the conversations of next year’s huge domestic fights.
Contractually, and perhaps unfortunately, the Lawrence Okolie rematch is set to definitely happen, whilst former foe Richard Riakporhe could well get called as the WBO mandatory.
Granted, Billam-Smith will have to keep his eye on the ball before worrying about how to untangle himself from Okolie’s grasp once again. But, even he will understand why the fans are looking far ahead to a bumper 2024.
Oscar Bevis