Eddie Hearn has given a fresh take on Conor Benn’s world-title aspirations, after watching from ringside as the welterweight beat Regis Prograis last weekend.
On the undercard of Tyson Fury’s win over Arslanbek Makhmudov, Benn fought for the first time since his shock split from Hearn, outpointing Prograis but failing to deliver his desired statement.
Prograis, 37, also said after the bout that his rumoured pre-fight injury was more compromising than he had let on.
In any case, Benn’s former promoter Hearn, who runs Matchroom Boxing, was in the front row at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to evaluate the 29-year-old’s showing.
“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 told 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. But I have seen performances, like…”
Hearn then referenced Benn’s two middleweight fights with Chris Eubank Jr last year, in which Benn was beaten for the first time before winning the rematch.
“I know people say Eubank was [over the hill], or he was ill, or he was injured,” Hearn said, “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.
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“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.
“But I think Conor has the attributes to be competitive in fights.”
In February, Benn shockingly split from Hearn to sign a one-fight deal with rival promotion Zuffa Boxing, allegedly for $15m.
Hearn, 46, expressed his disappointment in the development, having worked with Benn for the entirety of the boxer’s professional career – and having stood by Benn despite the Briton failing two anti-doping tests in 2022.
In fact, Benn’s move to Zuffa was announced on the same week that one of the faces of the promotion, UFC chief Dana White, had launched yet another tirade at Hearn.
In recent months, Benn has been linked to a number of American stars, including Ryan Garcia, whom he called out on social media on Thursday.
