Eddie Hearn's Candid Evaluation of Conor Benn's World Title Ambitions
Eddie Hearn has offered a brutally honest perspective on Conor Benn's aspirations to become a world champion, following the welterweight's recent victory over Regis Prograis. This marks Benn's first bout since his surprising departure from Hearn's Matchroom Boxing promotion, a split that has sent ripples through the boxing community.
Benn's Performance Under Scrutiny
On the undercard of Tyson Fury's triumph over Arslanbek Makhmudov, Conor Benn secured a points decision against a faded Regis Prograis at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. However, the 29-year-old failed to deliver the emphatic statement many anticipated, with Hearn observing from ringside alongside Anthony Joshua.
Prograis, aged 37, later revealed that a rumoured pre-fight injury had been more debilitating than previously disclosed, potentially affecting the bout's dynamics. Nevertheless, Hearn's assessment focused squarely on Benn's capabilities against elite competition.
Hearn's Frank Assessment
"Listen: it's not right of me, having told you that Conor Benn was a world-class fighter for the last five years, to start telling you he's British-title level," Hearn stated to outlets including Boxing News. "I think he can cause world-class fighters problems. Can he beat them? Now, after what I saw on Saturday, not in a million years."
The promoter referenced Benn's two middleweight clashes with Chris Eubank Jr last year, where Benn suffered his first professional defeat before winning the rematch. "I know people say Eubank was over the hill, or he was ill, or he was injured," Hearn noted, "but I think Conor Benn up at 154lb and 160lb is a much-better fighter. I don't think he beats those guys at 147lb, but I do think he's a world-class fighter."
Context of the Split
In February, Benn shocked the boxing world by leaving Matchroom Boxing to sign a one-fight deal with rival promotion Zuffa Boxing, reportedly worth $15 million. Hearn expressed disappointment at the development, having guided Benn throughout his professional career and supported him despite the boxer failing two anti-doping tests in 2022.
The move to Zuffa was announced during the same week that UFC chief Dana White, a prominent figure in the promotion, launched another verbal attack on Hearn, adding layers to the promotional rivalry.
Future Prospects and Call-Outs
Hearn tempered his criticism with some measured optimism: "I'm not gonna sit here and start saying, 'No, he couldn't win a Southern Area title,' but there are also guys at British level that could probably beat him. I think Conor has the attributes to be competitive in fights."
In recent months, Benn has been linked to several American stars, including Ryan Garcia, whom he publicly called out on social media just days after the Prograis bout. This suggests Benn remains determined to prove himself on the global stage, despite Hearn's reservations about his welterweight capabilities.
The boxing community now watches closely to see whether Benn can leverage his new promotional alignment to silence doubters and mount a credible world-title challenge, or if Hearn's assessment will prove accurate in the coming fights.
