Bill Haney Tells Team Prograis to Prepare for Defeat By Knockout!
On December 9, former undisputed lightweight champion Devin “The Dream” Haney (30-0, 15 KO’s) will make his debut in the super lightweight division versus the rugged WBC 140-pound champion Regis “Rougarou” Prograis (29-1, 24 KO’s). This opponent selection has surprised many due to Prograis’ heavy hands and Haney’s reputation as a light-fisted fighter. Nevertheless, The Dream’s father and trainer, Bill Haney, is dead sure that Devin will turn the physical tables on Prograis in the ring.
In a recent exchange caught on camera, Haney aired his feelings out in a heated kibitzing session with Rougarou’s strength and conditioning coach, Evins Tobler.
“I guarantee you we’re going to knock him out! Guess what, after he get knocked out, his career is over! Guarantee that . . . the man going to get knocked out. The man been around here playing, he been talking, I see he don’t got no game plan. I see it’s not no confidence over there, so guess what? We going to go get him then! Regis, don’t run like a bitch!”
THE NEW AND “IMPROVED”?
The average opinion on this upcoming duel holds that if Haney prevails, it will likely be by decision, while Prograis must win by knockout. Yet, Bill Haney is asserting that they in fact are going to be the ring bullies for the night. To his credit, The Dream has not been overly mobile in his last four assignments versus Joseph Diaz, George Kambosos Jr (twice) and Vasiliy Lomenchenko. Haney even established a very brutal attack versus Lomachenko.
Said to say, Team Haney could very well be coming in this fight aiming to be the aggressor. In the end, we have yet to see how The Dream performs at this new weight. Toward the end of his 135-pound reign, he routinely showed-up to his lightweight weigh-ins looking extremely gaunt and skeletal. Minus that strenuous physical taxation, it should not be outrageous to envision him having more thump in his punches and overall durability.
Thankfully, the time for jaw-jacking is all but done and the fighters will settle this rift in the ring December 9. Either Haney will be humbled and given a rude introduction to the division, or Prograis will suffer a very demoralizing loss to the former lightweight. In either scenario, 3Kings Boxing will be on deck to report all the fallout and implications!
