Eddie Hearn reacts as Conor Benn lines up Regis Prograis — regis prograis fight set for April 11

Conor Benn’s move away from Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom to sign a one‑fight, mega‑money deal with Dana White’s Zuffa Boxing has culminated in a co‑main event pairing with regis prograis, a change that has drawn sharp reactions from figures across boxing. The matchup is now confirmed for the Tyson Fury versus Arslanbek Makhmudov card at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on April 11, streamed live on Netflix.

Hearn questions weight and welcomes the purse

Eddie Hearn said he was curious about what weight the contest would take place at, noting that Benn fought Chris Eubank Jr twice at 160lbs and has said he will drop back down to 147lbs. Hearn pointed to the agreed catchweight of 150lbs and said, "150? It’s good for Conor to try and bring himself down [from 160]. " He added he was happy for Benn to receive "life‑changing" money for the fight and predicted a Benn victory, saying he liked Regis but believed Benn should be "much too fresh. "

Regis Prograis' record and recent form

Regis Prograis will oppose Benn. Prograis is a 37‑year‑old former two‑time super‑lightweight world champion from New Orleans who operates naturally at 140lbs and came off a points win against Jojo Diaz last August. Hearn noted that Prograis has lost to Josh Taylor, Devin Haney and Jack Catterall, and described him as "still a decent fighter, but Conor should be much too fresh. "

Card placement and logistical details for Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

The fight will occupy the co‑main event slot on the Tyson Fury v Arslanbek Makhmudov card at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on April 11, with the event streamed on Netflix. Hearn called the matchup a "treading water fight" that he had not been pursuing while trying to deliver Benn a world championship opportunity, and added that it would be "weird to see him on an undercard, " though Benn would not be overly bothered when he was paid.

Split from Matchroom, Zuffa Boxing deal and the $15m figure

Benn’s announcement that he left Matchroom after a 10‑year spell since turning professional to sign with Dana White and Zuffa Boxing has been described as a business move. The move ended a long relationship with Hearn, who had staunchly defended the 29‑year‑old after two failed doping tests left his reputation in tatters. Some view the handling of Benn’s departure as unfair to Hearn, while others point to the reported $15m purse for this one bout as decisive. Benn has said he wants "legacy fights" and "the biggest stages. "

Reaction from Johnny Nelson and Frank Warren’s verdict

Johnny Nelson called the decision a business move and said it would "really hurt" Eddie Hearn, adding "It's show business. " Nelson noted Benn and Hearn’s partnership had its biggest recent success in November when Benn defeated Chris Eubank Jr in a rematch as part of his resurgence after being cleared by UK Anti‑Doping following failed drug tests in 2022. Nelson described a reported exchange in which Hearn said he "sent him a message saying, I think we should talk, " and Benn declined; Nelson quoted that Benn has said, "I'm doing it for my family. I'm taking care of me, " and pointed to the $15m figure as transformational compared with the smaller purses he might have earned staying with his former promoter.

Frank Warren refused to comment on his legal issues with the Saudi paymasters—saying simply, "Can't comment"—but insisted he will continue promoting major shows, with Tyson Fury returning in April and a world heavyweight title fight between Fabio Wardley and Daniel Dubois the month after. Warren said he had sent Eddie Hearn "a little note the morning after" Benn's move and quoted Harry S. Truman: "if you want loyalty, get a dog. " Warren was blunt on Benn's record, saying, "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, " and questioned the level of talent relative to the money Benn has earned and is due to receive from Dana White.

Wider card fallout: Wardley, Dubois and promotional messaging

Warren made these remarks at the London media launch for the Wardley versus Dubois fight in Manchester on April 11. Fabio Wardley, who moved from white‑collar events to world champion status, said the WBO belt arrived in the post two weeks ago with an inscription that included Dave Allen's nickname "The White Rhino, " and he dismissed the need for a nickname: "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. " Wardley said he handpicked Daniel Dubois as his first title challenger "because I love wars with big hitters which are exciting for the public and for me. " Dubois said losing his 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. " Both expect the fight not to go the full 12 rounds, reflected in Warren's promotional title for the bout: "Don't Blink. "

Where Benn stands and next targets

Benn is currently the WBC number one challenger at welterweight and has said he will target a fight against new champion Ryan Garcia later in the year. Whether that fight happens, and under which promotional banner, remains unclear in the provided context.