Eddie Hearn has revealed he’ll be looking to make Devin Haney an offer next week to fight Regis Prograis at super-lightweight.
Haney is coming off a somewhat controversial victory over Vasiliy Lomachenko, where, although ‘The Dream’ retained his undisputed crown, many felt the Ukrainian had done enough to walk away with the belts.
The American has hinted a move up to 140lbs could be next, with his issues making the lightweight limit no secret within boxing. Haney will no doubt want to walk straight into a title fight and Hearn seems willing to offer him that opportunity by setting up a clash against his man, WBC 140lb champion, Prograis.
Speaking to iFL TV, Hearn confirmed he has already spoken to Haney about making that a deal for that fight.
Regis Prograis is my fighter, he’s my priority at the moment. Devin Haney says to me, and he won’t mind me saying it, he thinks Regis Prograis is, not an easy fight, but he thinks he wins that fight and becomes a two division world champion.
If that’s the case we’ll make him an offer next week and we’ll see if he’s willing to take that.
I’m not bothered about tying him up to the network, putting him on a 5 year or 5 fight deal, just Devin. He’s in a tough spot because his value is being undisputed but he can’t keep making 135lbs. If he wants to move up and become a champion automatically in a division that’s going to be extremely lucrative for him then I will provide him with that shot against Regis Prograis.
Haney is currently a promotional free agent and Hearn doesn’t seem to want to tie him down to a long term deal. Instead he thinks if Haney truly backs himself then he should fight Prograis on a one fight deal and ‘own his future’.
“I’m making that fight to beat Devin Haney. I absolutely think Prograis can win. I think Devin is an outstanding fighter but Regis is a a tremendous fighter, it’s a great fight. If Devin truly believes he thinks he can beat Prograis then I think he’ll take the fight.
If I’m Devin Haney right now I’m fighting Regis Prograis on a one fight deal and I’m owning my future, if you back yourself – do you back yourself Devin? Devin – I know you’re watching.”
Haney will undoubtedly be fielding multiple offers from different promotional outfits including Top Rank and Saudi Arabia’s Skill Challenge Entertainment.