Eddie Hearn says Conor Benn chose money over a world title and described his upcoming fight with Regis Prograis as “treading water” rather than title progression.
The Matchroom boss made the comments days into the fallout from Benn’s shock move to Zuffa Boxing, a shift that altered the trajectory of his immediate title path.
Hearn on Benn vs Prograis
Speaking to Fight Hub TV, Benn’s former promoter admitted the contest was not one he would have made, revealing that multiple title-path options had previously been under consideration.
“Not the type of fight that I would have put Conor in because I was looking for the big fights and I want him to become a world champion,” Hearn said.
“We had two fights there for him, or three fights, that would have given him the opportunity to be world champion. But he wasn’t really interested in those because he just wanted the most amount of money — and I get that.”
Hearn stopped short of criticizing Benn’s choice outright, acknowledging the financial appeal. However, he made clear that the direction shifted away from what he viewed as a structured route toward championship contention.
“Treading Water” Rather Than Advancing
Hearn suggested the Prograis bout serves more as maintenance than momentum.
“The Regis fight’s an interesting one, a nice run out,” he added. “But Conor will be much too young and fresh for him, so yeah, I guess it’s a treading water fight for what’s next.”
The remark reflects a broader difference in approach. Under Hearn’s guidance, Benn had been positioned toward world-level opportunities rather than standalone assignments.
Hearn also referenced Prograis’ recent form following his fight with JoJo Diaz, noting signs that the former champion may be entering the latter stages of his career.
While maintaining respect for Prograis’ pedigree, the implication was that Benn’s youth and freshness could prove decisive.
Placement and Purse Questions
Hearn admitted surprise at seeing Benn placed below the headline act on the card and suggested the reported purse attached to the fight had raised questions.
“It doesn’t really make sense to a lot of people,” he said. “I didn’t expect to see him on an undercard. But if he’s getting his money, good luck to him.”
Benn’s departure from Matchroom ended a decade-long promotional relationship.
Hearn’s comments underline the contrast between a title-focused progression and a commercially driven decision.
Whether the Prograis fight becomes a stepping stone or a holding pattern will ultimately be decided in the ring.
About the Author
Phil Jay is the Editor-in-Chief of World Boxing News (WBN) and a veteran boxing reporter with 15+ years of experience. He has interviewed world champions, broken international exclusives, and reported ringside since 2010. Read full bio.