Former undisputed super-lightweight champion Josh Taylor has delivered a blunt verdict on Regis Prograis ahead of the American’s April 11 clash with Conor Benn, calling his former rival “long finished” and questioning the competitive logic behind the 150-pound catchweight bout at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Taylor, who defeated Prograis via majority decision in the 2019 World Boxing Super Series final to unify the IBF and WBA super-lightweight titles, told Boxing News Online that the fight looked like a financial play rather than a genuine step up for Benn.
“I don’t wanna sound disrespectful, but I just say it how I think,” Taylor said. “Regis Prograis is long finished, in my opinion. We had a fight in 2019, that’s seven years ago, when we were both at our peaks. Regis Prograis has received a couple of defeats since then. He’s not the fighter he once was, and hasn’t been for a while.”
“For Conor Benn to leave Matchroom and fight an over-the-hill Regis Prograis is a strange move, other than financial gain. If I were in that position, I’d do the same thing.”
The fight marks Benn’s (24-1, 14 KOs) debut under Dana White’s Zuffa Boxing banner after ending a decade-long promotional relationship with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing. Benn signed a one-fight deal worth a reported $15 million, according to Dan Rafael, making him the highest-paid undercard fighter in boxing history. The bout sits beneath the Tyson Fury vs. Arslanbek Makhmudov main event on Netflix, with the purse reportedly covered by Sela and Turki Alalshikh.
“Zuffa Boxing presented me with an opportunity I simply couldn’t refuse,” Benn said upon signing. “I want the legacy fights, the biggest nights, the biggest stages.”
Taylor questioned whether this matchup fits that ambition.
“Conor moved away from Matchroom because he wants to go and have massive fights and world titles and all of that,” Taylor said. “Then, he goes and fights Regis Prograis. Who, with all due respect, I think has been finished for a long time.”
Prograis’ Recent Form
Prograis (30-3, 24 KOs), a two-time super-lightweight champion, is moving up to 150 pounds for the first time in his professional career. He turned 37 in January and is coming off back-to-back lopsided losses to Devin Haney in 2023 and Jack Catterall in 2024. He did rebound with a unanimous decision win over Joseph Diaz last August, though he was wobbled badly in the opening rounds before steadying himself.
Prograis has dismissed concerns about the weight jump. “I know I can beat Conor Benn, bro. I just know,” he told FightHub. “Don’t be surprised if I’m stronger. They’re gonna be like, ‘Damn, how you get so strong?’… because I’m at my natural weight.”
Taylor said Prograis remains dangerous in spots. “I think that Regis is the better boxer but he is a 140 pounder, he is a little bit small height-wise as well and he is way past his best,” Taylor said. “Conor should win, but he will give him problems.”
Diaz, Prograis’ last opponent, offered a similar read. “Regis is a good fighter, he’s a slick fighter,” Diaz told MillCity Boxing. “If Conor gets caught with a shot unexpectedly, Regis hits hard, he could really put some damage to Conor. I’m giving the slight edge to Conor Benn because he’s fighting at a heavier weight.”
What Comes Next for Benn
Benn, who defeated Chris Eubank Jr in a rematch via a wide unanimous decision in November, holds the WBC’s number one ranking at welterweight and is the mandatory challenger for the title Ryan Garcia won from Mario Barrios in February. He hasn’t fought at the 147-pound welterweight limit since 2022, having spent the entirety of 2025 at middleweight.
Upon the conclusion of the April 11 fight, Benn is expected to return to free agency, per Rafael’s reporting. A world title shot against Garcia remains the primary target.
Taylor’s bottom line: “I can’t see anything other than a Benn win,” he said.