Prograis Wants Garcia Or Lopez After Haney, Usyk Picks Wilder To Beat AJ

In the latest boxing news, Regis Prograis is targeting a fight with Ryan Garcia or Teofimo Lopez provided that he beats Devin Haney. 

Prograis will defend his WBC 140-pound belt against Haney, who makes his first appearance at the weight class on December 9th, 2023. A win for Prograis would end Haney’s unbeaten record and propel him into a potential pay-per-view star.

Although that may be the case, there are question marks over Prograis’ form. His last bout against Danielito Zorrilla failed to impress as the American won via a split-decision in his hometown.

But heading into the Haney fight, Prograis remains confident in his skills as he mapped out the future moving forward after Haney.  

Prograis’ Next Steps

“Teo [Lopez], Ryan [Garcia, for me, the big fights. That’s all I want now. I don’t want the small fights. I want the big pay-per-view fights. That’s what I want right now…I think the boxing fans are tired of putting these fighters against fighters that they know they’re going to win. We need to have these fights that you don’t know. You don’t which side is going to win. I have no expectations. I’m ready to go, and as long as it’s packed, I’m happy with it,” Prograis said 

A fight against Lopez would offer Prograis the chance to become a unified champion. The ‘Takeover’ holds the WBO belt, which he acquired after beating the former undisputed junior welterweight champion Josh Taylor.

Meanwhile, a bout against Garcia would provide a mega payday in that Garcia’s huge social media following would draw in more casual fans.

So either way, Prograis is putting himself in the conversation for the biggest fights. But first the boxer must overcome Haney. And there is no getting away from that. 

Usyk Back Wilder Over AJ

Meanwhile, Oleksandr Usyk has picked Deontay Wilder to beat Anthony Joshua in a potential fight. 

The Ukrainian had the experience of facing Joshua on two occasions as he beat the Brit via a unanimous decision in both fights to become the unified heavyweight champion of the world.

And in doing so, Usyk became the holder of the WBA, IBF, WBO, IBO belts. With that being said, talks over a fight between Wilder and Joshua have failed to result in an agreement.

Skills Challenge Entertainment could not deliver on the fight, as the pulling power in Saudi boxing shifted to the General Sports Authority who were instrumental in making Tyson Fury vs. Francis Ngannou.

Meanwhile, a search for other venues has not been successful as of yet. However, based on Wilder’s high percentage knockout rate, Usyk picked the American to be the favorite going into the bout. 

“Wilder’s incredible streak is that if he hits once, one is unable to fight back. I’m going with Wilder, 60-40 in favor of Wilder. He hits incredibly hard. Deontay’s able to send someone flying when he touches them,” Usyk stated 

The Ukrainian had been linked with a bout against Wilder only for the latter to claim that the unified champion was ducking him.

Even if that were the case, a fight against Wilder offers nothing by way of belts. And at a time when the undisputed heavyweight championship is in sight, a fight against Wilder would not be on the top of the agenda.