A significant financial agreement, reportedly valued at $15 million, has landed British boxing sensation Conor Benn on the undercard of Tyson Fury’s highly anticipated bout against Arslanbek Makhmudov, a move that has ignited a fiery war of words between rival promoters Eddie Hearn and Ben Shalom. The controversial deal, brokered as part of Zuffa’s ambitious expansion into the world of boxing, sees Benn stepping into the ring against former two-time junior welterweight champion Regis Prograis at the iconic Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on April 11, with the entire event set to be streamed live on Netflix.
Hearn, a prominent figure in the boxing landscape, was quick to voice his skepticism regarding the matchup, deeming it a "step short of world level" for Benn. Speaking to Boxing King Media, Hearn focused his critique on the agreed-upon catchweight for the bout and Prograis’s current standing in the sport. "150? It’s good for Conor to try and bring himself down from 160," Hearn remarked, referencing the weight limit for the fight. He then offered a candid assessment of Prograis, stating, "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."
Hearn further elaborated on his perspective, suggesting that the fight was not one his own promotional outfit, Matchroom Boxing, had been pursuing. "It was never a fight that we were looking at because I was trying to deliver him a world championship fight," Hearn explained. "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." The substantial reported purse for Benn’s involvement did not escape Hearn’s attention, as he alluded to the potential ripple effects of such a lucrative single-fight deal, stating, "Let’s just see what the UFC fighters have got to say. It’s an interesting one. It’s a problem for them."
Ben Shalom, the driving force behind BOXXER, responded with unbridled disdain to Hearn’s public commentary, accusing him of disingenuous outrage. "I just couldn’t believe the reaction, I thought it was a parody, I thought Eddie Hearn was playing up, fake outrage," Shalom retorted to Boxing King Media. He characterized Hearn’s stance as "pathetic in the circumstances, that is what they are, that is what they do." Shalom did not hold back in his assessment of his rival promoter, labeling him and his associates as "s***bags."
Shalom drew a parallel between Benn’s current situation and the departure of rising British prospect Ben Whittaker from BOXXER, a move that clearly stung Shalom. "It hurt me," he admitted. "I put everything into him, so I do know why it hurts. Did I get a thank you? No. Did I get a call? No. So it hurt me. I’m not saying what Conor Benn did is right, I just found the reaction comical."
Conor Benn, who boasts a professional record of 24 wins with 14 knockouts (24-1, 14 KOs), faces a formidable challenge in Regis Prograis. Prograis, a seasoned southpaw with a potent left hand and a reputation for relentless pressure, has previously held junior welterweight world titles. His championship pedigree was forged at the 140-pound division, where he established himself as a dangerous force. While Prograis has demonstrated flashes of his former brilliance, as seen in his victory over Joseph Diaz, Hearn’s assessment suggests a belief that the years and the rigors of the sport may have taken their toll.
The April 11 card at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium promises a dual spectacle, with the main event featuring the titanic clash between heavyweight champions Tyson Fury and Arslanbek Makhmudov, and the co-featured bout pitting Benn against Prograis. Beyond the squared circle, however, a separate, no less intense, battle is unfolding between the sport’s influential promoters, each vying for narrative control and showcasing their promotional prowess. This high-stakes financial maneuver by Zuffa signals a significant intent to disrupt the existing boxing hierarchy, and the ensuing promoter spat is a clear indicator of the seismic shifts potentially underway. The substantial $15 million investment underscores the belief in Benn’s marketability and the strategic importance of securing a prominent platform like Netflix for future endeavors. The boxing world will be watching closely to see how these promotional rivalries and the unfolding financial landscape shape the careers of these prominent fighters.
The inclusion of Benn on such a high-profile undercard, amplified by a reported nine-figure payday, is a testament to his drawing power and the evolving nature of boxing’s promotional ecosystem. Zuffa’s entry, spearheaded by figures with extensive experience in combat sports, suggests a calculated strategy to leverage their resources and influence to capture a significant share of the boxing market. The fallout from this deal, characterized by the sharp exchanges between Hearn and Shalom, serves as a stark reminder of the intensely competitive and often theatrical nature of professional boxing promotion. As Benn prepares to face Prograis, the narrative surrounding his career is undeniably being shaped by forces beyond the ring, fueled by ambition, financial might, and the age-old battle for promotional supremacy.
