Conor Benn signs multi-fight deal with Zuffa Boxing
Conor Benn has committed his future to Zuffa Boxing, penning a multi-fight, multi-year agreement with Dana White’s promotional outfit, reports BritPanorama.
The 29-year-old British welterweight secured the deal following his points victory over former two-time world champion Regis Prograis across ten rounds at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last weekend. This fight appeared on the undercard of Tyson Fury’s triumph against Arslanbek Makhmudov.
Benn’s decision to join Zuffa marks a significant shift in his career, ending a nearly decade-long partnership with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing. The move was initially foreshadowed in February when Benn signed a singular fight contract with the rival promotion, reportedly worth $15 million.
Despite the scrutiny surrounding his performance against Prograis, who revealed post-fight that an injury had impeded him, Benn remains resolute in pursuing his ambitions. “Career’s heading in the same direction which is world title by the end of the year, God willing, and just mega-fights,” he stated. “That’s the plan. Give the supporters, the fans what they want.”
The fighter, nicknamed “The Destroyer,” has teased a potential matchup against WBC welterweight champion Ryan Garcia, whom he recently called out on social media. “I’m a servant of the public and I want to give the supporters the biggest and the best fights possible,” he added. “I know we’ve got big plans for me to take the world by storm.”
Hearn, watching from ringside, provided a candid assessment of his former fighter’s championship prospects at 147lb, suggesting that while Benn could pose problems for world-class fighters, his ability to defeat them remains questionable after last weekend’s performance. “Can he beat them? Now, after what I saw on Saturday, not in a million years,” Hearn told Boxing News.
There was recognition from Hearn of Benn’s greater potential at higher weights, such as middleweight, particularly following his bouts with Chris Eubank Jr. He noted that while Benn has the potential to be competitive, the complexities of his capabilities warrant a nuanced evaluation.
As Benn embarks on this new chapter with Zuffa Boxing, there is palpable anticipation in the boxing community for the matchups that lie ahead. The welterweight division watches closely, knowing that in sport, change can be a prelude to both triumph and challenge alike. The question now remains: can Benn harness this opportunity to elevate his profile significantly on the global stage? Only time will tell.
