Regis Prograis has assessed whether Conor Benn, his former opponent, can become a world champion following his emphatic defeat to Ryan Garcia.
‘The Destroyer’ challenged for the WBC title last month, moving back down to 147lbs after having not fought at the weight in over four years.
It was after testing positive for banned substance clomifene, in fact, that Benn began campaigning in higher divisions and eventually revisited his rivalry with Chris Eubank Jr.
With the pair meeting at 160lbs, Eubank won their first encounter by unanimous decision before getting widely outpointed – and suffering two 12th-round knockdowns – in their immediate rematch.
Yet still, it remained difficult to tell whether Benn, especially at 147lbs, was capable of competing with a world-level operator like Garcia, who ultimately stopped the Brit in two rounds.
As a result, many have questioned whether the 30-year-old can justify another major title shot, even if he moves back up to middleweight and pursues more winnable opportunities.
Speaking with Fight Hub TV, former two-time world champion Prograis said he doubts that Benn will ever become a world champion.
“I don’t know where he should go. Maybe [160lbs] and fight some European-level guys?
“As for the top guys, I don’t see who he’s going to beat. I really can’t see it. If he wants to make the money, go back to 168[lbs] and fight Chris Eubank again.
“I think that’ll be a good fight for him. And I think that’s probably what will happen, because I can’t see him being a champion.”
Despite losing a unanimous decision to Benn last April, this came at a catchweight of 150lbs and was at a stage where Prograis, by his own admission, had reached the end of his career.
