It is the loss to Haney last December which has looked particularly damaging to the American’s prospects.
Knocked down in round three before losing on points, Prograis was far away from his flamboyant best in a sluggish display and was dominated by Haney.
Prograis told BBC Sport that changes behind the scenes before the Haney fight had hindered him, saying he had spent the build-up to fighting Catterall “getting back to being me, getting back to what took me to the top”.
“For the Haney camp I changed everything,” he said.
Prograis explained he switched up his team for Haney, including having his head coach and an assistant swap roles. For Catterall, he has changed everything back while admitting: “I don’t know why I did that.”
He also shortened his camp, having trained for three months before fighting Haney – something which affected his mental health.
When Catterall’s injury meant an August fight was postponed to October, Prograis “took a little vacation” from his camp in Las Vegas.
“I really needed that mentally, that made a big difference because I couldn’t train that whole time. In camp I train three or four times a day, that’s a lot,” Prograis said.
“So I took off, I chilled, and came back way stronger.”
Another major change for Prograis in 2024 has seen him employ a manager, having previously represented himself in negotiations.
He says that had been another error, and that being able to hand off his business matters means he can relax before a fight which is must-win if he is to remain a contender at the elite level.
“I’ve made enough money, I’m good for the rest of my life, so now I’m boxing to enjoy myself,” Prograis said.
“I was trying to be a businessman and a boxer before, doing everything myself, telling people in interviews I didn’t need a manager – I definitely do!”
A proud New Orleans native, Prograis told the BBC in 2019 that he was fighting for the city, still recovering from the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
Five years on, Prograis says he is fighting only for himself.
“I always have my people, but I did that already,” he said. “This is for me, because I love it.”
