In a surprising turn of events, Eddie Hearn has expressed his bewilderment over the recent announcement that Conor Benn is set to face Regis Prograis in the ring on April 11. This match will mark Benn’s first appearance since his unexpected departure from Hearn’s Matchroom, a partnership that had lasted throughout his entire career. The 29-year-old boxer made a stunning move to Dana White’s Zuffa Boxing just last week, leaving many in the boxing world taken aback.
Benn, known as ‘The Destroyer,’ was initially expected to headline Zuffa’s first UK show. However, he will now be featured on a Ring Magazine bill, serving as the undercard for Tyson Fury’s highly anticipated comeback against Arslanbek Makhmudov at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Hearn, the Matchroom Chairman, has openly questioned the decision for his former protégé to take on the two-time super lightweight champion in a 150-pound catchweight clash.
“This isn’t the kind of fight I would have arranged for Conor,” Hearn told Fight Hub TV. “I was always looking for the big fights, the ones that would propel him towards becoming a world champion. We had two or three fights lined up for him that could have given him that opportunity, but he wasn’t really interested in those. He wanted the fights that offered the most money, and I understand that. You can’t fault someone for that.”
Hearn acknowledged that while the fight against Prograis is intriguing, it seems more like a warm-up bout. “With all due respect to Regis, if you look at his fight with JoJo Diaz, it’s clear he’s nearing the end of his career. He’s still a good fighter, but Conor is much younger and fresher. I suppose this fight is just a way to keep busy until what’s next. It doesn’t really make sense to me.”
Benn was present at Ryan Garcia’s victory over Mario Barrios in Las Vegas last week and is the mandatory challenger to Garcia’s WBC welterweight title. His deal with Zuffa, the company led by White and Saudi Arabian boxing chief Turki Alalshikh, is for one fight and is reportedly worth a staggering $15 million.
Benn will be fighting at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for the third consecutive time, with his two bouts against Chris Eubank Jr last year also taking place there. He won the second fight after suffering his first professional loss to the Brighton man in April.
“April 11th can’t come soon enough,” Benn said. “Returning to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium again, where I made history against Eubank Jr, means everything to me. My last fight there showed the world exactly who I am and what I’m about. Fighting on the biggest stages, in the biggest shows, I fear no one! I’m fully locked in and ready to deliver another statement performance.”
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