Conor Benn’s former promoter, Eddie Hearn, has weighed in on his just lately introduced battle towards Regis Prograis.
Benn made headlines final week when he introduced a transfer away from Hearn’s Matchroom to signal a one-fight, mega-money take care of Dana White’s Zuffa Boxing.
He had been considered a lifelong Matchroom fighter resulting from his shut relationship with Hearn, who staunchly defended the 29-year-old after two failed doping checks left his fame in tatters.
Pair that with the actual fact Hearn has overtly recognised White as a severe rival within the sport, some really feel that the best way Benn dealt with the transfer was unfair. Having stated that, others recognise that the reported $15M purse for this one bout was cause sufficient.
Following some hypothesis, it was introduced at this time that Benn will take up the co-main occasion spot on the Tyson Fury versus Arslanbek Makhmudov card on the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on April 11, streamed dwell on Netflix.
Within the reverse nook can be two-time super-lightweight world champion, Prograis, who’s coming off a factors win towards Jojo Diaz final August. The 37-year-old former two-time world champion from New Orleans has misplaced to Josh Taylor, Devin Haney and Jack Catterall, and operates naturally at 140lbs.
Chatting with Boxing King Media, Hearn requested what weight the battle would happen at, contemplating Benn fought Chris Eubank Jr twice at 160 and has stated he’ll now drop again all the way down to 147. He stated 150lbs – the agreed catchweight – fits his ex cost.
“150? It’s good for Conor to try to carry himself down [from 160].”
The British promoter – who says he’s joyful for Benn to obtain ‘life-changing’ cash for a battle at this degree – sees nothing however a Benn win.
“I like Regis. You noticed within the Jojo Diaz battle he’s not the fighter that he as soon as was. He’s nonetheless an honest fighter, however Conor needs to be a lot too contemporary.
“It was by no means a battle that we have been taking a look at as a result of I used to be making an attempt to ship him a world championship battle. However, as a treading water battle, in the event you like… It’s going to be bizarre to see him on an undercard, however I don’t assume he’ll be that bothered when he will get paid.”
Lastly, discussing the purse, Hearn highlighted maybe a rising difficulty for Zuffa Boxing and TKO – specifically what UFC fighters consider the inflated purses in comparison with their very own monetary reward.
“Let’s simply see what the UFC fighters have gotten to say … It’s an attention-grabbing one. It’s an issue for them.”
Benn is presently WBC primary challenger at welterweight, and has made it clear he’ll goal a battle towards new champion Ryan Garcia later within the 12 months. Whether or not it occurs, and certainly beneath which promotional banner, stays to be seen.
