Conor Benn’s Return to the Ring
Conor Benn is set to step back into the ring against Regis Prograis on April 11, marking his first bout under Zuffa Boxing, following his recent departure from Matchroom Boxing. This matchup will form part of the undercard for the highly anticipated fight between Tyson Fury and Arslanbek Makhmudov at London’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Transition to Zuffa Boxing
Benn’s transition from Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom – a promoter he’s been with for his entire decade-long career – to Zuffa Boxing is making waves in the boxing community. Many are buzzing with the implications of this switch, especially considering Hearn’s previous financial support of Benn during his struggles with drug testing that kept him from fighting in the UK for three years.
Zuffa Boxing is led by Dana White, who has publicly criticized Hearn in the past. This rivalry adds another layer of intrigue to Benn’s new affiliation. The upcoming bout pits Benn, who has an impressive record of 24 wins and 1 loss, against Prograis, a seasoned fighter boasting a track record of 30 wins, 3 losses with 24 knockouts. Prograis, a former two-time world champion at super-lightweight, will be moving up in weight to challenge Benn in the welterweight division.
Excitement and Rivalry
Benn is no stranger to the venue; he has fought there previously against Chris Eubank Jr., where he experienced both triumph and defeat. The prospect of this fight excites him, as he expressed in a recent statement, noting the significance of returning to a place where he has already etched his legacy and declaring his readiness to impress in front of a large audience.
“I’m ready to impress in front of a large audience.”
In a twist of rivalry, Prograis is eager to turn the tables, recalling that the last time he fought in London, Benn was on the supporting card. He aims to capitalize on this moment as he prepares to deliver a performance that will teach Benn a lesson, emphasizing that he will not be an easy opponent as he approaches this fight fully prepared.
Aspirations and Future Goals
Benn’s goals within Zuffa Boxing remain ambitious, particularly his interest in capturing the WBC welterweight title, a goal that aligns with his previous aspirations but may clash with Zuffa’s plans to create its own championship structure.
The co-main event at Tottenham will see Benn strive to establish himself in his new chapter within Zuffa Boxing, while the main event features Tyson Fury attempting to reassert his dominance in the ring after his most recent retirement. As the boxing landscape shifts, all eyes will be on this fight night, with streaming accessible via Netflix, further hinting at the evolving dynamics in the sport.
Meanwhile, the financial disputes surrounding promotional affiliations remain a critical backdrop to this announcement, as Frank Warren evoked a substantial claim against TKO and Sela for lost earnings amid these promotional shifts.
