Devin Haney's next conquest appears to be fighting Regis Prograis, for Prograis' WBC light welterweight title, though it has yet to be confirmed. It is also rumored to be a pay-per-view fight which has caused dismay from some fight fans.
Haney was recently in Los Angeles for the last bout of Team Combat League this past Sunday, in which he caught up with veteran YouTuber, KO Artist Sports to share his future decision beyond this fight and what might be next - especially whether he'd fight Shakur Stevenson.
"Obviously right now [the Shakur Stevenson fight isn't happening]," said Devin Haney to KO Artist Sports. "[Right now] we are pursuing the WBC [world title] in the 140 lbs division."
Stevenson has been vocal in calling out Haney and has forced himself to be the mandatory challenger for Haney's WBC lightweight world title. Haney has been allowed by the WBC to become the lightweight champion-in-recess for the time being as it seems Stevenson will fight a yet-to-be-named opponent for a form of an interim title later this year, with some reports believing it could be November.
Haney currently holds all four widely recognized world titles in the lightweight division but will opt to try his hand at the junior welterweight division for his next outing. That said, Haney didn't rule out a return to lightweight.
"I still have my spot at lightweight," said Haney. "[I'll] go back down after, and we will see."
Haney's motivation for pursuing a bout with Prograis is to secure a world title at 140 pounds, positioning himself for a potential blockbuster mega-fight in the future against WBO light welterweight champion Teofimo Lopez.
Prograis faced a close call in his last bout against Danielito Zorrilla, barely escaping with a split decision victory after being dropped in the second round, and with many feeling that Prograis didn't look the same. Was it decline or nerves of bringing a huge fight card back to New Orleans? Who knows, but it seems to be one of the two.
Haney possibly might have seen some decline in Prograis' performance and could be eager to face Prograis as soon as possible.
Given that Haney is a very big lightweight it is interesting that he is keeping the door open for exploring fights in the lightweight division given that junior welterweight could be closer to his natural weight.
