The rumor spread earlier in the day from a post on X claiming the fight was off. Prograis responded directly with a video message, denying any withdrawal and clarifying that he is still preparing.
“It’s not true. I’m still fighting. Don’t think I’m pulling out of the fight. No, it’s not happening,” Prograis told Ring Magazine
Prograis has turned its attention to Benn, who is making his debut under the Zuffa Boxing banner at the Tyson Fury vs. Arslanbek Makhmudov undercard.
“I’m definitely coming, Conor. Don’t think you’re getting an easy one. You don’t get off easy. I’m coming for you a **.”
For Prograis, this 150-pound catchweight fight is a massive opportunity to erase the sting of losing two of his last three. While he’s the veteran in this equation, he comes in as a lively underdog against the younger Benn, who is looking to secure a massive $15 million payday.
“The fight is still going on. I’m still fighting. I don’t know what people are talking about. It’s all bull s***. It’s coming from me.”
For a guy who just turned 37 and sits on a 1-2 record over his last three, he knows he’s playing with house money here for Prograis.
The in-your-face feel of this fight is hard to ignore. If you look at his recent stretch. The shutout loss to Devin Haney, the razor-thin (and arguably lucky) split decision over Danielito Zorrilla, and the late fight against Jack Catterall, Prograis didn’t exactly scream “big-money headliner.” Yet, here he is, moving up to 150 pounds for a massive Netflix/Zuffa Boxing debut undercard.
This is Conor Benn’s big debut for Dana White’s new boxing venture. They need a “name” opponent who brings credibility but may be at the tail end of his prime.
Interestingly, Prograis himself called this fight an “alley whoop of God”. He knows he was almost out of the high-stakes loop after the Catterall defeat.
For Benn, beating a former two-time world champion like Prograis provides the legitimacy he needs to chase a $15 million payday or a clash with Ryan Garcia. For Prograis, it’s a career-saving lottery ticket.
The reason why Regis was “quick” to shut down the rumors is simple: at his age and with his recent form, if this fight falls through, there is no “Plan B” that pays so well. He even admitted to telling his manager to “fight on” regardless of the weight or rehydration clauses because he couldn’t let it pass him by.
He’s clearly banking on the idea that Benn is “just an okay fighter” who got carried away with his last name.
