Conor Benn is set to make his Zuffa Boxing debut against Regis Prograis next month and now Josh Taylor, who famously defeated the latter, has weighed in on the contest.
Taylor trumped Prograis by majority decision when the then-undefeated duo collided in a super-lightweight world title unification at the O2 Arena back in 2019, on route to Taylor’s fabled undisputed title win.
Over six years later, the best of ‘Rougarou’ seems to be behind us, with the two-time super-lightweight ruler underwhelming in each of his last four bouts; against Danielito Zorrilla, Devin Haney, Jack Catterall and JoJo Diaz – of which he won two and lost two.
In four weeks’ time, 37-year-old Prograis steps up to 150lbs for a catchweight clash with Benn on the Tyson Fury-Arslanbek Makhmudov undercard, seeking what would have to be considered as a major upset despite Prograis’ superior accolades.
In an interview with Boxing King Media, Taylor admitted that he considers the fight a ‘bizarre’ one, believing that Prograis ‘is not the same’ fighter that he once was.
“I think that it is a bit of a strange move. Conor moved away from Matchroom because he wants to go and have massive fights and world titles and all of that.
“Then, he goes and fights Regis Prograis who, with all due respect, I think has been finished for a long time. His last couple of performances haven’t been great at all.
“Having said that, he is still a great fighter, still a world level fighter, but he is not the same Prograis that he was before.
“I think that it is a bizarre move but at the same time, fair play to both lads, they are getting money and they are getting paid very handsomely for it.”
Although, Taylor maintained that the New Orleans operator has a chance of overcoming Benn if he can roll back the years, believing the underdog to be the better technical boxer of the two.
“To a certain extent, yes, [I do give Regis Prograis a chance]. I think that he might make it a little bit awkward and he might box, because Conor Benn is not the best of boxers, he is not a great boxer. He is aggressive, he is tough and he is strong, but he is not the best of boxers.
“I think that Regis is the better boxer but he is a 140lber, he is a little bit small height-wise as well and he is way past his best. Conor should win, but he will give him problems.”
Benn-Prograis is the co-main event of the Fury-Makhmudov bill at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday, April 11, with the whole card being available to watch live on Netflix.
