Conor Benn Becomes a Free Agent
Conor Benn has officially stepped into the role of a free agent after recently concluding a one-off fight agreement with Zuffa Boxing. This followed his victory against Regis Prograis in London at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, coinciding with the highly anticipated Tyson Fury vs. Arslanbek Makhmudov event. Benn secured the win via unanimous decision after ten rounds, marking his first bout since his well-publicized split from boxing promoter Eddie Hearn and Matchroom, a development that sent ripples throughout the boxing community.
Manager’s Perspective
His manager, Keith Connolly, had previously experienced a notable fallout with Hearn that severed ties not only with Benn but also impacted other fighters like Edgar Berlanga and Richardson Hitchins. Connolly expressed his satisfaction with the terms of the deal for the Prograis fight and praised the Zuffa team for their approach.
“They were fantastic to us, offering a tremendous deal. I have nothing negative to say about them,”
Connolly noted, also acknowledging key figures such as Dana White and Nick Khan, a respected figure in the business.
Future Prospects
Despite the impressive $15 million deal, many were skeptical about whether it constituted a genuine one-fight agreement, especially given Benn’s undercard position and the state of his opponent. The bout served as a stepping stone for Benn, who is now focusing on returning to the welterweight limit after competing at 160 pounds in two matches against Chris Eubank Jr.
There is already considerable speculation surrounding Benn’s ability to make the 147-pound weight limit again, especially since he has recently been ranked as the WBC’s number one contender. This unexpected ranking raised eyebrows, particularly given Benn’s extended absence from the welterweight category. Connolly specifically mentioned Ryan Garcia as a target for future fights, further compounded by Benn’s calls to face the Golden Boy star during the lead-up to the match.
This ties into potential negotiations with Oscar De La Hoya, although there is also a possibility that Benn may re-sign with White for another bout at a lower rate after his match with Prograis. Additionally, there’s a slim chance that Benn might entertain a return to Hearn’s camp, not for collaboration but possibly as an opponent for IBF champion Lewis Crocker, which would not necessitate a reunion with Hearn.
Conclusion
Lastly, the landscape for Benn looks akin to that of Devin Haney, a fellow fighter who operates as a free agent, negotiating his fights independently. This approach could become the new norm for Benn as he maps out the next chapter of his boxing career.
