Boxing
Conor Benn’s Zuffa contract explained, the Matchroom conflict, the catchweight rule and what’s next
Published
2 weeks agoon
Conor Benn’s signing with Zuffa Boxing in February shocked the boxing world.
His departure from Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom was one thing, but signing a multi-million-pound move with Zuffa and Dana White, who have become arguably their biggest rivals, sparked a public war of words.
And Benn, who will face Regis Prograis on Saturday as part of his one-fight contract with Zuffa [Netflix, 7 p.m. in U.K., 2 p.m. in U.S.]he said he did not regret the decision, which divided opinions among fans and the wider boxing community.
So what does this deal mean and what will Benn do after Saturday night?
Why did Conor Benn leave Matchroom?
The low answer is money. While the figure is widely reported to be $15 million, nothing has been publicly disclosed. Benn said what he receives will secure his family’s future for generations, and it’s an opportunity he won’t pass up.
“I can say that my children are prepared for life. I can say that this is life-changing for my children,” Benn told reporters this week.
“I can say this is an opportunity I couldn’t turn down, no matter all the noise, no matter what.”
No one can complain that a player earns as much as he can. Careers are low, unpredictable and full of risk. However, the way Benn left Hearn was divisive. Matchroom’s boss said he learned of the news through a lawyer’s email.
When he tried to contact Benn for a phone call, Hearn claims the player turned him down.
Benn said this week: “I don’t feel anything for Eddie. You know, I love Eddie. I don’t mind the noise at all or anything that was said. It’s one of those things.”
What was the reaction?
The initial reaction of most was shock and surprise. Apart from Anthony Joshua and Katie Taylor, Benn was not only Matchroom’s biggest star, but also someone who many thought would remain with the company for the rest of his career.
“I don’t know what to say. I felt like everything we gave him, the loyalty and support, was enough to talk about it,” Hearn told iFL TV in February.
“But there was really no interest. Very surprising. Very painful, but just another moment in life that you live from and learn from.”
Why did UFC fighters get involved in this fight?
UFC fighters were also a bit nervous and surprised, considering Zuffa and UFC are owned by the same parent company, TKO.
UFC fighter salaries have also been a contentious issue for several years.
Heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall, who signed with Hearn’s Matchroom Talent Agency in March, said: “I think it bothers everyone. If one guy is making $15 million and the other is making $15,000, that’s a massive difference and that’s one of the reasons I want to consider other options.”
Former UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley said: “It doesn’t mean it’s true, I don’t know, it could be true. I can’t imagine it being true… I don’t even know who Conor Benn is.
“He’s supposedly a pretty massive name in boxing, but I’ve never heard of him. If they actually pay him $15 million… It’s crazy how much work you’ve put into the UFC, you’ve built this name, you’ve created this character, you’re this star… It’s like I wouldn’t fight for a damn $15 million.”
“But it’s also a business, and if they think it’s a good business move and this guy makes money, I understand. Don’t take anything personal in business.”
Why is Benn fighting Regis Prograis?
Benn says Prograis was one of the first ones he was offered, he agreed and a deal was quickly signed.
The 37-year-old has several qualities that make him an attractive opponent for Benn at this stage of his career. It’s a massive name, especially in the US
Prograis, a former two-time junior welterweight champion, has been at the top but is on the way down. He was comprehensively defeated by Devin Haney in 2023 and on his second visit to the UK he lost to Jack Catterall in 2024 when he fell twice.
While this isn’t a give-me fight and Prograis is a skilled operator, Benn is the favorite and is expected to get the job done.
Why does Benn fight at catchweight? Is there a rehydration clause?
Benn and Prograis will meet in the 150-pound catchweight.
Prograis, who has been fighting in the junior welterweight division for many years, believes the agreement is in his favor. Benn’s last two fights, both against Chris Eubank Jr., were at 160 pounds as a middleweight, but before that he was a welterweight (147 pounds).
“After winning Eubank Jr., I ran 10 kilometers almost every day to lose weight,” Benn said.
In the Benn vs. Prograis has no hydration clause, which means there are no limits on how much weight either fighter can gain after Friday’s weigh-in.
Controversially, the Benn and Eubank Jr rematch included a rehydration clause. They were prohibited from gaining more than 10 pounds after the weigh-in.
Will Zuffa promote Benn after Saturday night?
Benn will not sign with any promotional company following the conclusion of the Prograis fight, but he said this week: “I will be a completely free agent. Zuffa is obviously at the helm because they have looked after me so well.
“I am extremely blessed with this opportunity [money]It’s obviously something pretty, but also an opportunity and being able to fight so quickly.”
What does Benn want to do if he defeats Prograis?
Benn’s WBC welterweight title has long been in his sights. This is the belt that was held by his legendary father, Nigel, at super middleweight in the 1990s.
If he can get past Prograis, the door will open for a massive fight with welterweight champion Ryan Garcia.
Benn has made no secret of his desire to fight Garcia, and the fight would be fierce on both sides of the Atlantic. It would also be a great opportunity for Benn to strengthen its position in the US
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Boxing
Gervonta Davis accused of avoiding undefeated rival: ‘He said he would never fight’
Published
24 minutes agoon
April 23, 2026
Gervonta Davis’ return appears imminent, but it’s unclear whether the now-hiatus WBA lightweight champion will fight at 135 pounds, and the team of his expected lightweight opponent says “Tank” is avoiding them.
Davis, a three-division champion, has held the WBA title since delayed 2023 and defended it twice, defeating Frank Martin and then drawing with Lamont Roach Jr during his last trip, over a year ago.
However, in January, Davis lost his champion status and was instead named halftime champion, meaning he will likely get a chance to regain the belt after his first fight at 135 pounds.
Although despite rumors that the Baltimore-born knockout puncher will fight at super lightweight and face Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz upon his return, no modern lightweight champion has yet been crowned or a free-for-all title fight ordered.
Floyd Schofield is currently the man to benefit from this situation, but his team is growing increasingly frustrated with the slowness of the process as they wait to be promoted to champion or ordered to fight for the title – against Davis or an alternative challenger.
I’m talking to Boxing in Mill City“Kid Austin”‘s father and trainer, Floyd Schofield Snr, expressed his belief that Davis was avoiding his son and revealed plans to fight for the “Tank” title against a slimmed-down version.
“You need to drop the belt! They’re breaking the law now, federal law. Do I think ‘Kid’ is ready for ‘Tank’?” “The Kid” is ready for them all. There’s a reason why Tank said, “I’ll never get in the ring with that kid. There’s a reason his trainer went online and said Tank will never get in the ring with him.”
“Tank said it out of his own mouth and Tank’s trainer said it on the internet in an interview and said that ‘The reason Tank said it is because he looks at him like an older brother.’ The thing is, Tank can’t go down to 135 and fight Kid, Tank would be at a disadvantage.”
“We want to suck him arid and fight him at 135 pounds, that’s the biggest advantage we have right now. If we let Tank get used to it, he would be on fire, and we let Tank get used to that weight? No!”
“He weighs around 175 pounds now, he needs to get down to 135 pounds and get ready to get in the ring to fight, and the WBA will just do it.” [rehydration clause] where it can only go up to 152 pounds.
Negotiations for Davis-Cruz II are believed to be ongoing, and once confirmation is announced, the WBA will likely make its own announcement regarding the modern lightweight champion.
Boxing
Jermell Charlo is negotiating a fight with Sebastian Fundora
Published
2 hours agoon
April 23, 2026
He also claimed that future options are already planned for Tim Tszyu and Errol Spence Jr.
“We are talking to Tim Tszyu and Errol Spence. All three have agreed to fight me.”
This is an ambitious statement from a fighter who has not competed since his defeat to Canelo Alvarez in 2023. Charlo turns 36 on May 19, and many fans believe the long break should mean tuning in or fighting a challenger first rather than immediately fighting for the champion. Charlo, however, made it clear that he still sees himself as the best man in the division.
The problem is that Jermell is essentially trying to cash his 2022 check in a completely different economy. PPV prices on PBC have increased to over $75, and asking fans to pay that for a guy who hasn’t won a fight since May 2022 is tough. This is a financial risk for promoters.
Jermell is used to unquestioned ‘money. If he’s asking for a huge guaranteed amount to fight Fundora or Ennis, the math just doesn’t work for the promoter unless the bid is above $150 or $200,000.
In boxing, three years is an eternity. Since Jermell stayed noiseless, we’ve seen the rise of Xander Zayas and the emergence of “Boots” Ennis at 154.
“I told you I was coming back. I told you I wanted my stripes,” Charlo said. “Nobody beat me by the belt.”
Promoters aren’t calling because Jermell’s confidence is currently low. If the promoter puts him in the main event and he looks like the version of himself that did or didn’t show up in the Canelo Alvarez match, the event is a disaster. Financially, it could still be a disaster.
Jermell wants the reward of a champion without the upgrade tax that every other veteran has to pay after a long layoff. With 2026 filled with newborn, hungry and busy talent, thinking that you can simply move to the front of the queue because of what you did four years ago is definitely a bold choice.
If Jermell had just gone for it and beaten some of the top 154 fighters like Israil Madrimov, Bakhram Murtazaliev and Brandon Adams, it wouldn’t have been much of a problem.
Dan Ambrose is a boxing journalist at Boxing News 24, respected for his direct analysis and extensive coverage of the global fight landscape. His reports focus on the most vital fights, division development and the most discussed stories in sports.
Boxing
David Benavidez Says One Man ‘Must Face Him’ After Zurdo Ramirez: ‘I’m Taking All His Belts’
Published
4 hours agoon
April 23, 2026
David Benavidez will fight for Gilberto Ramirez’s unified cruiserweight crown this weekend and if he passes this test, there will only be one person in the “Mexican Monster”.
Benavidez has established himself as one of the most fan-friendly fighters in sports, not only thanks to his fascinating fighting style, but also thanks to his mentality that allows him to face all opponents and take on the toughest challenges.
Reigning at both super middleweight and lightweight heavyweight, the reigning WBC 175-pound champion now moves up to cruiserweight, hoping to hand “Zurdo” Ramirez his second career defeat in what will be the titleholder’s 50th career appearance.
The only other man to defeat Ramirez is unified light heavyweight ruler Dmitry Bivoland v interview with Ariel HelwaniBenavidez made it clear that he intended to return to lightweight heavyweight and then face the Russian.
“I don’t want it to look like he’s scared or nothing, but he knows what it’s like when it comes to David Benavidez. He saw me up close and I saw him up close too.
“He’s a great fighter, we had some great sparring sessions, but he knows I’m not coming to play. He knows that when David Benavidez steps into the ring, all those belts go with David Benavidez.
“I think he knows the dangers and seriousness of this fight and that’s why he took the preparatory fight first. I respect Dmitry Bivol, he’s a great fighter, but he will definitely have to come to me after this fight.”
While Benavidez will fight next weekend, Bivol will make a mandatory defense of his titles against German Michael Eifert on Saturday, May 23, which will be his first fight on home soil since 2021.
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