Devin Haney secured a unanimous decision victory over Regis Prograis in the main event at the Chase Center in San Francisco, California. The event, promoted by Matchroom and broadcasted by DAZN, saw Haney become the new WBC super lightweight champion, demonstrating his prowess in his first title defense at the new weight class.
Devin Haney (31-0, 15 KO’s) effortlessly adapted to the super lightweight division, displaying improved strength, fitness, and speed. Regis Prograis (29-2, 14 KO’s), the defending WBC champion, struggled as Haney showcased his acquired skills and experience, dominating over twelve rounds.
The match reflected a comprehensive beatdown by Haney, who proved superior to Prograis in nearly every aspect. Haney’s defensive and offensive solidity in the first round set the tone for the entire bout, with him consistently holding the center of the ring and effectively countering Prograis.
Despite Prograis’ initial aggression, every attack seemed to be neutralized by Haney, who secured a third-round knockdown capitalizing on Prograis’ defensive vulnerabilities. Haney continued to outbox Prograis, employing various angles and crisp jabs that not only set up power punches but also countered Prograis effectively.
Haney’s footwork played a crucial role defensively, allowing him to evade most of Prograis’ attacks without sustaining significant damage. Throughout the match, Haney demonstrated superior defensive capabilities, including head movement, while consistently peppering Prograis with unanswered shots.
The ‘Haney show’ continued until the twelfth round, culminating in a unanimous decision victory with scores of 120-107 from all three judges, showcasing a dominant performance.
Haney’s triumph solidifies his status as the new WBC super lightweight champion and elevates him to pound-for-pound status. Outranking fellow Americans Gervonta Davis, Shakur Stevenson, and Teofimo Lopez, Haney now stands as one of the best American boxers in his division and age range. His journey at 140 lbs may continue as he eyes unifying the division against three other world champions.
The undercard featured notable matches, including Liam Paro’s knockout victory over Montana Love in the super lightweight division, earning Paro the WBO Global super lightweight title. Australian IBF world champion Ebanie Bridges suffered an upset loss to Japanese contender Miyo Yoshida in the women’s bantamweight division, with Yoshida winning by unanimous decision.
Cuban lightweight Andy Cruz made an impressive professional debut by knocking out Mexican veteran Jovanni Straffon in the third round to claim the IBF International lightweight title. While not yet a top contender, Cruz’s performance suggests he is on track to fulfilling high expectations.
Brazilian women’s super featherweight contender Beatriz Ferreira secured her position as the top contender in her division, defeating American contender Destiny Jones in a match that saw Ferreira recover from a seventh-round knockdown to deliver a knockout in the eighth round. Ferreira now eyes a potential shot against undisputed super featherweight champion Alycia Baumgardner.
