Prograis Calls Time on Legendary Boxing Career After Defeat to Benn

Regis Prograis is done. The two-time super-lightweight world champion announced his retirement at age 37 following his loss to Conor Benn at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday night, drawing the curtain on a career that spanned more than three decades and included some of the most memorable fights in the 140-pound division.

Prograis entered the ring in front of approximately 70,000 spectators knowing it would be his final night as a professional boxer. In a candid admission to Ring Magazine afterward, the American revealed he had made peace with walking away long before fight night. "Going in, I knew I was going to retire," Prograis said. "This is my last fight. I knew this months ago — I just didnt tell anybody, but I was terrified going into this."

The decision to call time on his career had nearly been made for him. Reports surfaced before the bout that Prograis was battling injury, and he confirmed those rumours in the aftermath, admitting he wanted to pull out of the fight a full month before the first bell. "The rumours about me being hurt were true," Prograis said. "I wanted to pull out of this fight so bad a month ago but kept pushing. I was terrified and thinking about pulling out even yesterday."

Despite the pain and uncertainty that surrounded his preparation, Prograis refused to characterise the defeat as a sour note on which to end his story. Looking around the stadium as he reflected on his career, he seemed genuinely at ease with the outcome. "Its a great fight to be my last, against someone like Conor Benn, someone that was strong — an arena like this with 70,000 in a stadium," he said. "I couldnt ask for a better going away party. Perfect end to my story."

Across his 34-fight career, Prograis compiled a 30-4 record with 24 victories coming by way of knockout. He first claimed a major title in 2019 when he won the WBA super-lightweight crown, and he later added the WBC version of the same championship to his collection, holding it from 2022 until 2023. His career highlights include a pair of high-profile battles in the World Boxing Super Series, where his blend of punching power and tactical nous made him one of the most feared operators in the division.

For Benn, the victory marks another statement win in what has become an increasingly promising spell for the young British fighter. For Prograis, the page turns quietly, with a legacy that most in the sport will regard with genuine respect.

He walks away having given the fans everything he had — right to the very end.

Published at: 2026-04-13T11:37:00Z