Prograis shows how a fighter can lose their crown and keep their dignity

The 34-year-old was outclassed by Devin Haney in their world title fight. But by showing his humanity he looked more like a champion than ever

The terrible marks of battle covered the face of Regis Prograis, the fallen champion, as he came out first for the inquisition in the basement of the Chase Center in San Francisco. An hour earlier, soon after the final bell which confirmed that his ordeal was over and he had suffered a shutout defeat to the brilliant Devin Haney who became the new WBC junior-welterweight world champion, Prograis spoke with raw honesty in the ring.

That motherfucker's good, he's better than I thought he was," Prograis said of Haney, who had knocked him down in the third round and hurt him again on numerous occasions during a long and painful beating. I just couldn't get to him. I thought he was a soft puncher, but he does have power. I was down and I was like: What the fuck happened?'"