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Conor Benn ends free agency and signs an improved contract with Zuffa

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Conor Benn shakes hands with Dana White in Las Vegas after signing an upgraded multi-fight Zuffa deal

Conor Benn ended days of speculation by changing his contract with Zuffa Boxing from a single-fight deal to a novel multi-fight deal, ending his miniature stint as a free agent.

The British fighter traveled to Las Vegas this week to meet Dana White, Nick Khan and the Zuffa team, and was seen shaking hands with them after the deal was finalized.

What seemed like a one-time thing quickly became a long-term plan, and Benn is now committed to Zuffa for the next phase of his career.

Conor Benn Zuffa contract update

World Boxing News understands that the novel deal replaces Benn’s original single-fight deal with a multi-fight deal, securing his immediate future under the Zuffa banner.

The immediate goal remains the fight with Ryan Garcia for the WBC welterweight title, and this fight is to end on a huge stage, not at the Meta Apex.

Instead, it is more likely that Benn will feature on Ring magazine’s more high-profile cards, in the UK and US squads, if an agreement can be reached with Golden Boy.

It’s not effortless, given Oscar De La Hoya’s repeated criticism of White and Benn, which regularly aired on his Thursday episode of Clapback, but Garcia still stands out as the clearest next challenge.

It was always likely that Benn would stay with Zuffa as its Matchroom split narrowed the battlefield. His departure from Eddie Hearn has strained relations within the sport so much that a stronger bid from a rival always seemed unlikely.

It was widely reported that the original deal for the Regis Prograis fight was around $15 million per outing, which raised eyebrows given Benn’s place on the card and the state of the fight itself.

Chris Dean | BOXXER

The novel deal expands that deal to a multi-fight commitment, although financial terms of the extension were not disclosed.

What started as a controversial one-fight bet has now become a long-term venture against Conor Benn.

This cuts through the noise around money. The bigger story now is that Zuffa didn’t quit after one fight – he doubled down.

Benn vs. Prograis

Benn defeated a clearly compromised Regis Prograis by unanimous decision at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with all three judges scoring the fight 98-92.

Prograis had been struggling with leg problems early in the round but kept fighting while Benn pressed on, landed cleaner shots and fought through cuts from two head clashes.

The result keeps Benn at welterweight, but the bigger progress is now happening outside the ring: Zuffa has moved him from a one-day experiment to a long-term plan under Zuffa.


About the Author

Phil Jay is the editor-in-chief of World Boxing News (WBN) and a boxing veteran with over 15 years of experience. Read the full biography.

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Boxing

Anthony Joshua Teams Up with Top Trainer for Anticipated Tyson Fury Showdown

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"Anthony Joshua Teams Up with Top Trainer for Anticipated Tyson Fury Showdown"

Anthony Joshua is finally set to take on Tyson Furyand promoter Eddie Hearn has confirmed that a world-renowned trainer will be helping Joshua prepare for his showdown with ‘The Gypsy King’.

‘AJ’ has teamed up with Team Usyk for his last two professional contests, with Iegor Golub acting as lead trainer in back-to-back knockout wins against Jake Paul and Kristian Prenga within the last 10 months.

Despite being victorious, Joshua has been criticised for not dispatching of Paul quicker and for twice being dropped by unknown Albanian Prenga ahead of his long-awaited bout with fellow two-time heavyweight ruler Tyson Fury.

In a clip captured by Pro Boxing FansHearn has revealed that Ben Davison, a former trainer of both Fury and Joshua who he labelled as ‘one of the best in the world’, will be involved in ‘AJ’s camp for the December 11 clash which will take place in Cardiff.

“Even when Ben wasn’t his principal trainer – he was just working with him – strategically, talking all of the time, I think he respects Ben a lot. Obviously, there is probably a feeling that Ben Davison knows Tyson Fury extremely well.

“For me, I think that he is one of the best trainers in the world. I don’t know AJ’s final decision as to where he is going to locate his training camp but Ben Davison will definitely be involved in that camp and in that process.”

It is unknown whether Davison will be re-appointed as Joshua’s lead trainer in Golub’s place or if the pair will work together as part of a wider ‘AJ’ coaching unit.

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Jose Benavidez Sr Declares Unbeatable Welterweight Champion in Boxing News

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"Jose Benavidez Sr Declares Unbeatable Welterweight Champion in Boxing News"

Jose Benavidez Sr is the father and trainer of potential Fighter of the Year candidate, David Benavidezwho has risen the pound-for-pound rankings with his solitary outing of 2026.

Now, Benavidez Sr has given praise to another reigning world champion, believing that nobody in his division can defeat him.

Benavidez made the 25lb leap up to cruiserweight earlier this year and dethroned unified world champion, Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez upon his debut in the division as he announced himself to the 200lb scene in style.

In December, Benavidez will look to add an additional cruiserweight title to his collection, expected to collide with newly-elevated WBC cruiserweight king, Michal Cieslak, in Phoenix, Arizona on Saturday, December 12.

Although, whilst his son is receiving credit for his efforts this year, Benavidez Sr told Fight Hub TV how impressed he was by WBC welterweight titleholder Ryan Garciawhen witnessing ‘King Ry’ halt Conor Benn inside two rounds earlier this month.

“It was spectacular. Ryan Garcia has a lot of speed, he is super fast, he has got that hook. It’s unbelievable. When Ryan focusses and stays sharp he is a very dangerous fighter in that division.

“I just don’t see nobody beating him and he brings a lot of people, so at the end of the day, the sky is the limit for him. He is doing great, I am a big fan and I think that, at this point right now, I don’t see nobody beating him.”

Like Benavidez, Garcia is also looking to compete again before the end of the calendar, eyeing up a December showdown with Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz.

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Arturo Torres Collapses After Fatal TKO: Shocking Video Highlights Tragic Boxing Incident

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"Arturo Torres Collapses After Fatal TKO: Shocking Video Highlights Tragic Boxing Incident"

Horrific footage has emerged showing Arturo “Lobito” Torres collapsing in the ring moments after his final fight was stopped in Mexicali.

Torres died on September 25six days after suffering serious injuries following his fight at Parque Vicente Guerrero on September 19.

The 26-year-old’s corner had already stopped the contest when Torres remained on his feet for a matter of seconds.

Then his body gave way.

Footage shows Torres slumping limply to the canvas as those around him immediately rush to his aid.

He was subsequently hospitalized and underwent emergency surgery, but his injuries ultimately proved too severe.

Torres died six days after stepping into the ring for the final time.

Arturo Torres Funeral

Torres was laid to rest in Mexicali on September 28 as family, friends and members of the local community said goodbye to the young fighter.

Footage from Mexico showed a lengthy funeral procession making its way through the city nine days after his final fight.

Sadly, the sight of a boxer’s limp body slumping to the canvas is not unfamiliar in this sport.

Having covered boxing for 16 years, World Boxing News is all too familiar with the distressing sight of a fighter in trouble after a hard contest.

Sometimes the consequences mean the end of a career. On terrible occasions, they are far greater.

For Torres, what happened after his final fight ended with a young life being cut tragically short.

The footage is difficult enough to watch without knowing what happened next. Knowing that Torres never recovered makes those final moments in the ring considerably harder.

Nine days after the fight, the streets of Mexicali filled for his funeral procession.

Arturo “Lobito” Torres was only 26.


About the Author

Phil Jay is the Editor-in-Chief of World Boxing News (WBN), a BWAA-acknowledged boxing news website founded in 2010. A veteran boxing reporter with 16 years of experience, he has interviewed world champions, broken international exclusives, and reported ringside from major events. His work is published worldwide through WBN and distributed on platforms including Apple News.

Read Phil Jay’s full bio and latest stories.

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