A star for the 140-pound division will emerge when Devin Haney challenges Regis Prograis this Saturday. A sold-out Chase Center in San Francisco will bear witness to their homegrown boxer ‘The Dream’ take on the WBC super lightweight champion and try to keep his quest of becoming a three-division champion burning. However, before it all goes down, the psychological burden of their last fights is weighing them down.

Before Devin Haney endeavored to move up to the 140-pound division, he had conquered the 135-pound division and sat atop it with the undisputed title. But his last fight with Vasyl Lomachenko drew flak from fans and pundits alike as they hotly debated the result. Meanwhile, Regis Prograis had turned in the worst performance of his career when he narrowly edged past Danielito Zorrilla. Since their last fights, fans and pundits have ridiculed Haney and Prograis, and December 9 sets the stage for their redemption. So, what have the two learned from their bitter experiences that they can employ in the fight?

Devin Haney vs. Vasyl Lomachenko: A close fight, controversy and learning

Devin Haney always held the size advantage, draining himself out and plumbing the smaller opponents. Besides, his ever-elusive, hiding-behind-a-jab technique worked wonders, and he scrapped wins by points comfortably before he met a much smaller Vasyl Lomachenko.

This was Haney’s first attempt to venture out, and he was willing to go blow-for-blow. His safety-first approach went for a toss, and he almost paid with a loss. While the 25-year-old targeted the Ukrainian boxer’s body, he suffered some cleaner shots to his head. However, after toiling hard for 36 minutes, he won the fight via a unanimous decision.

In the past, his opponents have exposed his weak chin, and with him adding more power after beefing up to 140 pounds, Haney might again take a risky route. This might not play well for him, as Regis Prograis packs one-punch knockout power. Therefore, it appears the San Francisco native, at 30-0, will fall back to his Floyd Mayweather-ish style.

Regis Prograis vs. Danielito Zorrilla: A power punch, a mental scar, and learning

Regis Prograis had dismantled his past four opponents until he met Danielito Zorrilla this June. The New Orleans native failed to keep up with his opponent’s movements, and after eating a power punch that rocked him, he barely tried to take the fight to Zorrilla.

In addition, the 34-year-old failed to close the distance and luckily bagged a split decision win. However, the performance ensured his stocks plunged, and he also fell out of favor with Eddie Hearn. Make no mistake; Prograis can punch his way to victory, even against Haney. But can he land his punches, be aggressive enough, and cut the ring effectively?

The WBC champion had landed just 42 punches in a 12-round title snooze fest, and he can’t afford another such performance against a more skilled and slippery Haney. He must commit more, close the distance, employ jabs, and ensure Haney’s punches don’t find his skin. This will be hard to implement, given the bashing he received. Prograis is desperate to prove his worth, as evidenced by his incensed remarks at the press conference. But who will stand tall when he meets Haney in the square circle?

What can you expect from Devin Haney and Regis Prograis?

Devin Haney summed up their encounter, commenting, “He’s banking on power. I’m banking on skill, and I’m banking on IQ and experience.” Prograis has to figure out how to land his power punches while Haney runs around the ring and frustrates him with clinching and jabbing. Further, Prograis has to make the most of the limited exchanges and rely on his jabs to cut the distance.

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On the other hand, unless Haney gets illusioned by his newly found power, he will be happy to fight a boring fight. While that might not be pleasing to the eyes, that’s how Haney will fight, especially after learning his lesson from Lomachenko. He needs to be tactical, control the range, and keep Prograis at the bag with his 4-inch reach advantage.

What do you make of this upcoming exciting bout between Devin Haney and Regis Prograis? Who do you think will emerge victorious? Let us know in the comments below.

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