Regis Prograis set to face Conor Benn as promoters and peers react

Conor Benn will meet regis prograis in a co-main event on the Tyson Fury vs Arslanbek Makhmudov card at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on April 11, and the bout has prompted forceful reactions from across boxing. The fight follows Benn’s move away from his long-time promoter to sign a one-fight, mega-money deal with Dana White’s Zuffa Boxing, a choice that reshuffles relationships and raises questions about weight and purse dynamics.

Eddie Hearn outlines weight, purse and why he still backs Benn

Eddie Hearn has publicly reacted to Benn’s switch from Matchroom to Zuffa Boxing and the matchup with Regis Prograis, saying the agreed catchweight of 150lbs suits Benn as he drops from prior fights at 160lbs. Hearn noted Benn fought Chris Eubank Jr twice at 160 and has said he will now drop back down to 147, adding, "150? It’s good for Conor to try and bring himself down [from 160]. "

Hearn, who had defended the 29-year-old following two failed doping tests that damaged his reputation, said he is happy Benn will receive "life-changing" money for the one-off deal and predicted a Benn victory. He called Prograis "still a decent fighter" but suggested Benn should be "much too fresh, " and said the fight was never one his team had targeted because he had been trying to deliver Benn a world championship opportunity. Hearn described the matchup as a "treading water fight" and admitted it will be "weird to see him on an undercard, but I don’t think he’ll be that bothered when he gets paid. "

On the bounty involved, Hearn warned of a headline problem for promoters: inflated purses for boxed-in crossover deals could create tensions with existing rosters and pay structures, saying, "Let’s just see what the UFC fighters have got to say … It’s an interesting one. It’s a problem for them. " Benn is currently the WBC number one challenger at welterweight and has signalled that he will target a fight with new champion Ryan Garcia later in the year, though the timing and promotional banner for such a showdown remain unclear.

Regis Prograis: his form, record and how the matchup shapes up

Regis Prograis, a 37-year-old former two-time super-lightweight world champion from New Orleans, arrives after a points win over Jojo Diaz last August. Prograis naturally operates at 140lbs and has lost fights to Josh Taylor, Devin Haney and Jack Catterall. That history frames the practical challenge of a 150lb catchweight for a fighter who has spent his career two weight classes below some of Benn’s recent bouts.

The pairing places Prograis on a big stage opposite a fighter moving back down in weight after bouts at 160, and it anchors the co-main slot on the April 11 card alongside a heavyweight main event headlined by Tyson Fury.

Johnny Nelson frames Benn’s decision as a business move and flags the money

Johnny Nelson called Benn’s jump to Dana White and Zuffa Boxing "a business move" that will have "really hurt" Eddie Hearn. Nelson noted Benn had been promoted by Matchroom since turning professional and that the split came after a 10-year spell with that team.

Nelson pointed to Benn’s career rebound — including a November rematch win over Chris Eubank Jr that followed clearance by UK Anti-Doping after failed drug tests in 2022 — as context for the deal. He stressed the pragmatic argument that Benn was offered roughly $15 million for the bout and contrasted that with a hypothetical alternative in which Benn stayed and might have earned two or three million for a next fight before risking a loss and a career slide. On the payout, Nelson said, "I totally get it, " adding that Benn has been paid "handsomely at a level that he probably would never have got to - and he's alright, he's sorted. "

Frank Warren reacts to the split and outlines other big cards on the calendar

Frank Warren declined to discuss the collapse of his relationship with Saudi backers and refused to comment on legal action, saying simply, "Can't comment, " when asked about suing "Their Excellencies. " Despite that legal silence, Warren made clear he will continue promoting major events: he said he will still be promoting "the biggest shows in boxing" with Tyson Fury back in the ring in April and the world heavyweight title fight between shock WBO champion Fabio Wardley and former champion Daniel Dubois the month after.

Warren said he and Eddie Hearn had been "haters for decades" but that Benn's decision to leave Hearn for a Zuffa deal helped clinch a new rapport between the two promoters; Warren added, "I sent Eddie a little note the morning after that, " while refusing to disclose the note's contents. He also offered a pointed take on Benn himself: "Conor's not even the best welterweight in Essex. He's been protected. Never fought a contender, never fought for a world title, let alone won one. Forget the two fights with Chris Eubank because I've never rated Junior either. " Warren called Benn "lucky" for the money he has been paid so far and for the millions he is "supposed to be getting from UFC boss Dana White as he tries to make it in boxing. "

Wardley vs Dubois build and Warren’s presentation: dates, quotes and promotion

Warren delivered these remarks at a London media launch for Fabio Wardley versus Daniel Dubois, an event tied to Manchester on April 11. Wardley, whom Warren described as having come out of white collar events to become a world champion, revealed that when his WBO belt arrived two weeks ago the inscription included Dave Allen's nickname "The White Rhino. " Wardley said, "They sent a replacement without a nickname because I don't have a nickname and don't want one. Fabio Wardley is good enough for me when I'm knocking people out, " and added that he hand-picked Dubois as his first title challenger because he loves "wars with big hitters. "

Dubois reflected on losing his belt to Oleksandr Usyk, saying, "Losing my belt to Oleksandr Usyk was like losing a girlfriend, even though it was to the greatest fighter of his generation. Now I'm going to renew that relationship. " Warren has promoted the matchup under the title "Don't Blink, " and all involved expect the fight to end before the 12-round distance.