1) Haney vs. Vasiliy Lomachenko
Although tight on the cards, and a result disputed by many, Haney’s decision win over Lomachenko in May elevated him to a new level and added to his resume a world-class name. This win also saw him retain his world lightweight titles for the final time.
2) Haney vs. George Kambosos (I and II)
A big win away from home, Haney’s schooling of Kambosos in Australia last year applied the first defeat to the home fighter’s pro record and delivered Haney a collection of lightweight belts. The rematch, too, which happened four months later, proved to be every bit as one-sided as the first fight.
3) Haney vs. Joseph Diaz
A belt-holder at both featherweight and super-featherweight, Diaz wasn’t quite able to make the step up to lightweight in 2021, falling short in a challenge for Haney’s WBC 135-pound belt. He gave it a good go, as he often does, but had no answer for Haney’s speed and jab.
4) Prograis vs. Jose Zepeda
A recent standout win for Prograis, this 2021 stoppage of Zepeda, secured in round 11, delivered the man from New Orleans the WBC super-lightweight belt he defends against Haney on Saturday. Zepeda, no mug, had won six in a row before succumbing to Prograis.
5) Prograis vs. Kiryl Relikh
Belarusian Relikh had scored two good wins against Rances Barthelemy and Eduard Troyanovsky ahead of fighting Prograis in 2019 and therefore it is a mark of Prograis’ class that he was able to stop Relikh in just six rounds.
Regis Prograis
6) Prograis vs. Terry Flanagan
Flanagan, coming off a first pro loss to Maurice Hooker in his previous fight, was perhaps lacking confidence and momentum when taking on Prograis in 2018, but that still shouldn’t take anything way from the manner in which Prograis shut him down and dominated him over 12 rounds.
7) Haney vs. Yuriorkis Gamboa
By the time Haney got hold of Gamboa in 2020 the gifted Cuban had already been stopped in 12 rounds by Gervonta Davis, which somewhat took the shine off the decision Haney was awarded for dominating Gamboa over 12 rounds.
8) Haney vs. Jorge Linares
While Linares had undoubtedly seen better days, and would go on to lose his next three fights, beating him in the way in which Haney did in 2021 was still noteworthy. If nothing else, it added a seasoned and experienced name to a record still being built.
9) Prograis vs. Julius Indongo
With his bubble already burst by the brilliant Terence Crawford, Indongo’s fall from grace was to be shocking and swift, accelerated no doubt by Prograis stopping him inside two rounds in his very next fight.
10) Prograis vs. Ivan Redkach
Ukrainian southpaw Redkach managed to shock Devon Alexander in 2019, stopping him inside six rounds, yet was no match for Danny Garcia the following year (beaten on points) and no match for Prograis, either, even if the fight was ultimately stopped due to an accidental foul in round six.
Devin Haney celebrates beating Vasiliy Lomachenko (Sarah Stier/Getty Images)