Conor Benn’s former promoter, Eddie Hearn, has weighed in on his recently announced fight against Regis Prograis.
Benn made headlines last week when he announced a move away from Hearn’s Matchroom to sign a one-fight, mega-money deal with Dana White’s Zuffa Boxing.
He had been regarded as a lifelong Matchroom fighter due to his close relationship with Hearn, who staunchly defended the 29-year-old after two failed doping tests left his reputation in tatters.
Pair that with the fact Hearn has openly recognised White as a serious rival in the sport, some feel that the way Benn handled the move was unfair. Having said that, others recognise that the reported $15M purse for this one bout was reason enough.
Following some speculation, it was announced today that Benn will take up the co-main event spot on the Tyson Fury versus Arslanbek Makhmudov card at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on April 11, streamed live on Netflix.
In the opposite corner will be two-time super-lightweight world champion, Prograis, who is coming off a points win against Jojo Diaz last August. The 37-year-old former two-time world champion from New Orleans has lost to Josh Taylor, Devin Haney and Jack Catterall, and operates naturally at 140lbs.
Speaking to Boxing King Media, Hearn asked what weight the fight would take place at, considering Benn fought Chris Eubank Jr twice at 160 and has said he will now drop back down to 147. He said 150lbs – the agreed catchweight – suits his ex charge.
“150? It’s good for Conor to try and bring himself down [from 160].”
The British promoter – who says he is happy for Benn to receive ‘life-changing’ money for a fight at this level – sees nothing but a Benn win.
“I like Regis. You saw in the Jojo Diaz fight he’s not the fighter that he once was. He’s still a decent fighter, but Conor should be much too fresh.
“It was never a fight that we were looking at because I was trying to deliver him a world championship fight. But, as a treading water fight, if you like… It’s going to be weird to see him on an undercard, but I don’t think he’ll be that bothered when he gets paid.”
Finally, discussing the purse, Hearn highlighted perhaps a rising issue for Zuffa Boxing and TKO – namely what UFC fighters think of the inflated purses compared to their own financial reward.
“Let’s just see what the UFC fighters have got to say … It’s an interesting one. It’s a problem for them.”
Benn is currently WBC number one challenger at welterweight, and has made it clear he will target a fight against new champion Ryan Garcia later in the year. Whether it happens, and indeed under which promotional banner, remains to be seen.
https://boxingnewsonline.net/news/eddie-hearn-on-conor-benn-vs-prograis/