Devin Haney became a two-weight world champion in some style, as he dropped Regis Prograis, and then routed him on the scorecards to take the WBC super lightweight title in a masterclass at Chase Centre, San Francisco.
Haney had been serving as undisputed lightweight world champion, having completed the four-belt collection in defeating George Kambosos Jr in Australia last June, and ‘The Dream’ was last seen in May in a close points win against Vasyl Lomachenko.
Prograis was in his second spell as 140 pound world champion, with his latest run starting wih a penultimate round knockout of Jose Zepeda last November. ‘Rougarou’ defended with a split decision nod against Danielito Zorrilla in June.
This was expected to be a test for Haney, but it was one he passed with flying colours and without much trouble.
Haney (31-0, KO15) asserted his jab early on here, and landed with a sweetly-timed uppercut in the second. The third saw Haney connect with a lightening-quick right hand that dumped Prograis (24-2, KO19) on the canvas, and the champion beat the count, only to be pummelled to the body on the resumption. Combinations and body shots were helping Haney dominate the fight, and a bruising body shot followed by a combination dipped Prograis’ knees in the sixth.
The one way traffic continued, with the referee even consulting with the Prograis corner to stop the fight as early as the eighth, but the masterclass continued, forcing more jabs down Prograis’ throat, with his own corner asking him if he wanted to carry on. Carry on he did, and he continued to beat down the outgoing king, and as the bout went to the final bell, there was no doubt as to who the victor was.
Haney was crowned by three landslide scorecards of 120-107.
Credit: Matchroom
Cruz shines and Bridges loses her title
Andy Cruz (2-0, 1KO) is on a fast-track to stardom, and the Cuban sent out a statement by knocking out Jovanni Straffon (26-6-1, 19KOs) in the third round to defend his IBF International lightweight belt. Former IBO champion Straffon was no match for Cruz, and the first two rounds displayed his electric speed and timing. A heavy, two-fisted assault in the third forced the referee to call a halt.
Liam Paro (24-0, 14KOs) kept on track for a world title shot, as he finished off Montana Love (18-2-1, 9KOs) in the sixth of a scheduled ten rounder at super lightweight. Love had the upper hand through three rounds, but Australia’s Paro quickly got his measure, and scored a superb knockdown in round six with a brutal uppercut. Love survived the count, but a massive left hand had him over again, and the fight was swiftly waved off.
Ebanie Bridges (9-2, 4KOs) saw her IBF bantamweight title reign come to an abrupt halt, as the Aussie was clearly outscored by Japan’s Miyo Yoshida (17-4, 0KOs). Yoshida took the fight to Bridges throughout, and at the end of ten rounds was correctly adjudged the winner by scores of 99-91 (twice) and 97-93.
Beatriz Ferreira (4-0, 2KOs) scored a second early win, this time with just five seconds remaining of her eight rounder at super featherweight against Destiny Jones (5-2, 2KOs).
Amari Jones (11-0, 10KOs) halted Quilisto Madera (14-5, 5KOs) in the fifth at middleweight, while Shamar Canal (7-0, 4KOs) dropped Jose Antonio Meza (8-9, 2KOs) in the final round of six, before winning on points at lightweight.
