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 making clear he is still preparing.
“It’s not true. I’m still fighting. Don’t believe I’m pulling out of the fight. No, that’s not happening,” said Prograis to Ring Magazine
Prograis turned his attention to Benn, who is making his debut under the Zuffa Boxing banner on the Tyson Fury vs. Arslanbek Makhmudov undercard.
“I’m definitely coming, Conor. Don’t think you’re getting an easy. You’re not getting off easy. I’m coming for your 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’s coming in as a live underdog against the younger Benn, who is looking to validate a massive reported $15 million payday.
“The fight is still on. I’m still fighting. I don’t know what people are talking about. That’s all bull s***. This is coming from me.”
For a guy who just turned 37 and is sitting on a 1-2 record over his last three, he knows he’s playing with house money here for Prograis.
The dropped into his lap feel of this fight is hard to ignore. When 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 fade against Jack Catterall, Prograis didn’t exactly scream “big-money headliner.” Yet, here he is, moving up to 150 lbs 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 might be catching the tail end of his prime.
Interestingly, Prograis himself called this fight an “alley-oop from God.” He knows he was nearly out of the high-stakes loop after the Catterall loss.
For Benn, beating a former two-time world champ 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 Regis was “lightning quick” to shut down the rumors is simple: at his age and with his recent form, if this fight falls through, there isn’t a “Plan B” that pays this well. He even admitted he told his manager to “make the fight” 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 has been overhyped by his last name.
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