Regis Prograis takes on Conor Benn in April and has revealed detailed conversations about the weight limit and his request for a rehydration clause in the fight.
Prograis is a former world champion who held the WBA super lightweight title in 2019, and the WBC super lightweight title from 2022 to 2023.
He has lost two of his last three to Devin Haney and Jack Catterall and is now 37 years old, so this fight is one last roll of the dice at the world level.
For Benn, it is another big test, given his best win so far was against what many believe was a weight-drained Chris Eubank Jr back in November last year up at 160lbs.
Despite Benn classing himself as a welterweight, he hasn’t fought at the official 147 limit since April 2022 and this fight on the undercard of Tyson Fury versus Arslanbek Makmuhdov will be no different.
Speaking to Boxing King Media, Prograis was asked about how the weight came to be settled for the contest.
“They said 150 and that was it. On the weight, they didn’t move. They said I could fight Conor Benn, I said of course, what weight, they said 150. I said alright, I never fought at 147 before, I fought at 140 my whole career.
“Why can’t they bring it down to 147, they said no. I said not even 149? They said no. So I said what about a weight stipulation for fight night, they said no.
“I thought about it for a day and I thought I can beat Conor Benn. I don’t care about the weight, and I said to my manager, bro, secure the fight.”
Benn needs to look good against Prograis, who will be the natural smaller man on the night, if he is to pursue the world titles he has so often claimed he wants in 2026.
