Conor Benn recently shocked the boxing world by leaving Matchroom to sign with Zuffa Boxing, inking a $15 million one-fight deal, covered by Turki Alalshikh. This move has split the sport, with many backing the fighter, while others roundly criticised the Brit.
Benn will face Regis Prograis at a 150-pound catchweight on the undercard of Tyson Fury vs Arslanbek Makhmudov on April 11. Ahead of Benn-Prograis, Josh Taylor, who has fought the American, spoke to Danny Gilfillan for Boxing News at The British Boxing Board of Control awards, where he gave his honest view of the Benn-Prograis matchup.
Regis Prograis feeling confident ahead of Conor Benn showdown
In a recent interview with Fight Hub TV, Prograis revealed his confidence ahead of the Benn showdown, despite the climb in weight:
“I know I can beat Conor Benn, bro. I just know. That’s why when they told me about the weight, I don’t care. We won’t need a weight stipulation. I don’t care. You can weigh in what you want. We can do it and 150, and then after that, you can blow up to whatever you want, bro. You could be 200 pounds, I’m not worried about it.
“And don’t be surprised if I’m stronger. They’re gonna be like, ‘Damn, how you get so strong?’ They’re gonna be checking me like ‘How the f**k you get so strong?’ You gonna see, because I’m at my natural weight, and I spar all these big guys and stuff, and they don’t do nothing. The punches don’t even hurt me. He can have the pressure. I’m cool. I’m all good with it. I signed to fight ‘cause I know I can win the fight. It’s a very winnable fight for me,” said Prograis.
Conor Benn vs Regis Prograis: Josh Taylor weighs in
Speaking to Boxing News, Josh Taylor gave his honest opinion on Conor Benn vs Regis Prograis:
“I don’t wanna sound disrespectful, but I just say it how I think. 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.”
When asked about the weight disparity between the two, with Benn operating at middleweight recently and Prograis at super lightweight, Taylor discussed the competitiveness of the fight:
“It could be at the start. He’s old and past his best, but he’s still a good fighter. It could be tricky for him. He will make it quite tricky and awkward for him, for the first bit I think. He was beating Jack Catterall until he got clipped.
“I can’t see anything other than a Benn win,” said Taylor.