Devin Haney vs Regis Prograis Official For December

The rumored world title challenge against Regis Prograis at 140 lb. for current undisputed lightweight champ Devin Haney is now official. This, as promoter Matchroom Boxing announced Tuesday afternoon that the WBC junior welterweight title clash will take place in San Francisco on December 9th.

From the fighter quotes in the Matchroom official release,

“It’s been a long time coming,” said Haney. “It’s been a dream of mine to fight in my hometown. I’m excited for the opportunity to become two-division World champion in The City [The Bay] where it all started. The energy in the building is going to be electric. I haven’t fought at home since I was an amateur, so I’m looking for my city to show up and show out.

“As a kid, I always envisioned fighting at The Oracle in Oakland. Now with Chase Center, I have two dream locations with a bridge between them. So, my first order of business is to blow the roof off Chase Center on December 9 with an amazing event.”

Meanwhile,

“Finally, we’re ready to go on Saturday, December 9 and I can’t wait to put on a show,” said Prograis. “I’ve already started training camp and I’ll be more than ready to do what I do best.

“Devin has done well at 135lbs but I’m the best in the world at 140lbs and I will prove that once again!

“Since my last fight they mentioned Devin’s name and that’s the only person I’ve had on my mind. I will not only beat him, but I will beat him up.”

As Haney mentioned, the bout will be in the downtown San Francisco Chase Center on the second Saturday night December. That’s the new state of the art, home of the multi-time NBA champion Golden State Warriors. However, they will be away for the brand new NBA, “In Season Tournament” to be held in Las Vegas, thus, allowing for Haney-Prograis.

The bout will be a Matchroom/DAZN PPV.

The 24 year old Haney, 30-0, 14 KOs, was most recently been aligned with Top Rank Boxing and was a PPV main event for them for his last fight in May. That’s when he won a contested decision over Vasiliy Lomachenko in Las Vegas to retain his four belts. Haney won the titles by decision off George Kambosos in Australia in June 2022 and validated that victory with a rematch decision win over Kambosos in October, as well.

Haney was born in the San Francisco/Oakland area, but moved at a young age to Las Vegas. So, the bout will be a bit of a homecoming for him.

As for the WBC title holder Prograis, 29-1, 24 KOs, he won his 140 lb. crown in a 11th round TKO over Jose Zepeda in California in November of 2022. He successfully defended it in a dull, lackluster decision over Danilito Zorrilla in Prograis’ hometown of New Orleans in June. This will be the biggest named opponent of the 34 year old Prograis’ career.