When asked to engage more directly with Benn, Prograis dismissed the idea of building the fight through verbal exchanges, saying he had no interest in playing that role.
“They ain’t paying me enough. I ain’t got to talk s***. You talk it,” Prograis said when the subject of promoting the fight was raised at today’s press conference.
The two-time former world champion kept his focus on the fight itself rather than the buildup, taking a noticeably different approach from the usual pre-fight pattern where fighters attempt to generate attention through confrontation.
Prograis did acknowledge the matchup itself, pointing to the difference in experience between the two fighters. He stopped short of dismissing Benn, but made clear that the British contender has not yet reached the level he has competed at.
“I’m not going to say he’s not world class. He hasn’t been there yet,” Prograis said.
The contrast in approach was evident throughout the press conference, with Prograis avoiding extended exchanges while Benn and his team focused on the significance of the fight and what could follow.
Benn has positioned the bout as a key step toward a world title opportunity, with a shot at Ryan Garcia already in play. He has also indicated he is targeting a stoppage in his return to welterweight after competing at higher weights in recent fights.
The focus remains clear for the former two-time 140-lb champion Prograis. He enters the fight as the more experienced fighter at world level and is treating the contest as a chance to reestablish himself without relying on promotion outside the ring.
The fight takes place Saturday, with both fighters coming in with different approaches to the buildup, but the same objective once the action begins.
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