Conor Benn’s ambitions for a WBC welterweight world-title challenge strengthened on Saturday night following a comprehensive victory over Regis Prograis.
Benn dominated the bout at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium – with all three judges scoring the 10-round fight 98-92 in his favour.
It was the 29-year-old’s first fight since avenging his loss to Chris Eubank Jr at the same stadium last November and his shock decision to split with long-term promoter Eddie Hearn in February for Zuffa Boxing.
Conor Benn relishing Ryan Garcia bout next
The 29-year-old has desires on fighting WBC champion Ryan Garcia next in September and he didn’t do no harm with his display over former WBA and WBC light-welterweight Prograis, 37 – who retired after the fight.
Benn had to contend with cuts to both of his eyes from head clashes midway through the bout, but preserved at the catchweight contest of 10st 12lb (69kg) – 3lb above the welterweight limit.
After the bout, Garcia used social media to accept Benn’s challenge, renamed his rival ‘Connor Bumm’ and predicted he would end their clash in the sixth or seventh round.
‘Of course he calls me out now, he’s a coward. He probably thinks “oh, you know, how’s Conor looking at 147?”,’ Benn told Ring Magazine, referencing the welterweight limit of 147lbs at which he has not fought since 2022.
‘He wasn’t calling me out for the past two years. Where’s he been while I’ve been vocal and actively chasing that fight? It’s cowardly, but he can get it next. And he’ll get a better version of me.
‘It’s Ryan Garcia next. I want a WBC world title, that’s what I’ve been dreaming of, that’s what I’ve been working hard towards for the past 10 years.
‘I’ve done what I needed to do in there against Regis Prograis. I had six weeks to prepare for Regis and to get my weight down from 175lbs to 150lbs.
‘It was an easy 10 rounds. Regis was tough in there, tougher than I expected. He was crafty. He’s a two-time world champion. He’s a good fighter, tricky.’
Retired Regis Prograis confirms injury issues pre-fight
Prograis confirmed he had been dealing with multiple injuries in the build-up to the fight and even considering pulling out of it on Friday.
‘Going in, I knew I was going to retire,’ the American told Ring Magazine. “This is my last fight. I knew this months ago – I just didn’t tell anybody but I was terrified going into this.
‘It’s a great fight to be my last against someone like Conor Benn, someone that was strong – an arena like this with 70,000 in a stadium. I couldn’t ask for a better going away party, perfect end to my story.
‘The rumours about me being hurt were true. I wanted to pull out of this fight so bad a month ago but kept pushing. I was terrified and thinking about pulling out even yesterday.’
