In a revealing post-fight reflection, Regis Prograis acknowledged the superior skills of Devin Haney, who emerged as the new WBC super lightweight champion. The 12-round title fight in San Francisco displayed Haney’s elusiveness, hand speed, and ring intelligence, which left Prograis puzzled and unable to effectively engage. Prograis, who had confidently promised to dominate the fight, was limited to landing a record-low 38 punches over the 12 rounds, according to CompuBox statistics.
Despite his previous declarations of overwhelming Haney, Prograis was candid in his post-fight press conference, praising Haney for his fast feet, solid defense, and unexpectedly effective power. A critical moment in the third round saw Haney delivering a right hand that unbalanced Prograis, leading to a knockdown. Prograis, known for his punching power, couldn’t land any significant blows on Haney throughout the fight.
Instead of offering excuses, Prograis chose to face his defeat with a constructive mindset, planning to focus on enhancing his skills, especially footwork, when he returns to training. Admitting the sting of the loss, Prograis expressed his determination to rebound stronger and pursue his goal of becoming a three-time champion in his weight class, before potentially exploring a career in mixed martial arts. His commitment to improvement and resilience in the face of defeat was evident as he encouraged his team to remain positive, despite the unexpected outcome of the bout.
Image Credit: DAZN