by Keith Idec
Regis Prograis grew to become consumed with the flawed issues towards the tip of the over-the-top promotion of his battle with Devin Haney.
The previous WBA/WBC 140-pound champion started to deal with what he would say to Haney and his father/supervisor/coach, Invoice Haney, once they talked trash throughout press occasions earlier than their 12-round bout final December 9 at Chase Heart in San Francisco. Prograis was additionally on edge as a result of he felt Devin Haney would attempt to shove him at their weigh-in, the best way Haney pushed Vasiliy Lomachenko the day earlier than they fought in Might 2023.
If that had occurred, Prograis suspects their battle would’ve been postponed based mostly on his bodily response to that kind of disrespect. The New Orleans native took offense, too, to Invoice Haney suggesting he was “scared” of the previous totally unified light-weight champion, which enraged Prograis and made him wish to damage Haney badly throughout their DAZN Pay-Per-View predominant occasion.
Prograis admits he was a psychological mess by the point he entered the ring that evening. The Katy, Texas resident credit Devin Haney for combating in addition to he did, but additionally Invoice Haney for getting him off his recreation.
“I believe it was simply psychological warfare,” Prograis advised Boxing Information prematurely of his battle with British southpaw Jack Catterall on Saturday evening in Manchester, England. “I really feel like they knew tips on how to get in my head. That’s what they did, and it labored to perfection.”
Haney’s execution of his gameplan, coupled with Prograis’ poor mindset, led to a very imperfect efficiency from a robust southpaw who was satisfied he would knock Haney out. Haney (31-0, 15 KOs, 1 NC) even dropped Prograis throughout the third spherical of a battle the Oakland native received by shutout, 120-107 apiece, on the playing cards of judges Rey Danesco, Mike Ross and Fernando Villarreal.
“I felt like I wished to harm him so dangerous,” Prograis recalled. “After we had been doing the weigh-in and I used to be like strolling him off stage and stuff like that, I simply kinda misplaced it. I wished to harm everyone on that facet as a lot as I can. They was gettin’ on my nerves and stuff like that. Each battle that was like that, it was psychological warfare. Josh Taylor kinda bought in my head somewhat bit. Yeah, we went at it, however you recognize, he bought in my head somewhat bit. And [Danielito] Zorrilla bought in my head somewhat bit. And Devin and Invoice and them, they positively bought in my head.”
It took him quite a bit longer than one would possibly anticipate from an skilled former world champion, however the 35-year-old Prograis has lastly discovered to keep away from getting distracted by something an opponent says or does earlier than a battle.
“Now I do know it’s only a sport,” Prograis mentioned. “Let ‘em speak, let ‘em say no matter they wish to. Now my head is mentally free from that. You’ll be able to say no matter you need about me. You’ll be able to say no matter you need about my household – something. Now it’s like I’ve enjoyable in boxing. I’m trying nice in sparring and it’s simply enjoyable for me. It’s not about going on the market and attempting to kill your opponent. I’m getting again to that – simply going on the market and having my enjoyable and, in fact, simply not letting anyone get in my head no extra.”
DAZN will stream the 12-round bout between Chorley’s Catterall (29-1, 13 KOs) and Prograis (29-2, 24 KOs) as its predominant occasion from Co-op Stay Area. Undercard protection is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. GMT (2 p.m. ET).
