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Conor Benn’s Zuffa contract explained, the Matchroom conflict, the catchweight rule and what’s next

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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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Pierce OLeary vs. Mark Chamberlain Live Results: Updates and Highlights

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Pierce O'Leary vs. Mark Chamberlain Live Results: Updates and Highlights

LIVE COVERAGE

World Boxing News provides live results and updates from Dublin as Pierce O’Leary faces Mark Chamberlain at super lightweight.

Queensberry Promotions returns to the 3Arena with an action-packed card headed by the unbeaten Irish star O’Leary, who meets former British champion Chamberlain in the main event.

The undercard also features Gary Cully, Reece Bellotti, Sean McComb, Steven Cairns, Ben Fail and several unbeaten Irish prospects.


Pierce O’Leary vs Mark Chamberlain Results

Times are Local – IST

17:46

Gary Cully stopped Lee Reeves in the tenth round to improve to 20-2.

Cully overcame a fifth-round point deduction for repeatedly losing his gumshield before dropping Reeves twice in the final round to force the stoppage.

The victory marked Cully’s 11th knockout win as a professional.

17:01

Sean McComb returned with a comfortable six-round points victory over Miguel Antin.

McComb won every round on the referee’s scorecard, claiming a 60-54 decision to improve his record to 22-2.

16:31

Machlan Arthur improved to 2-0 with his second straight knockout by stopping Ryan Frost in the fourth round.

Arthur dropped Frost twice in the final session before the referee waved the contest off at 1:05 of round four.


Remaining Bouts

• Pierce O’Leary vs Mark Chamberlain – IBO World Super Lightweight Title (12)

• Royston Barney-Smith vs Reece Bellotti – Vacant IBO Inter-Continental Super Featherweight Title (10)

• Gary Cully vs Lee Reeves – Super Lightweight (10)

• Steven Cairns vs Senan Kelly – Super Lightweight (10)

• Ben Fail vs Craig O’Brien – Super Welterweight (10)

• Bobbi Flood vs Tariq Davis – Super Welterweight (6)

• Adam Olaniyan vs Jonathan Claudio Sauco – Heavyweight (4)

• John Joe Carrigan vs Sean Murray – Super Welterweight (4)

• Sami Hamed vs Bela Istvan Orban – Super Welterweight (4)


Queensberry

Preview

Pierce O’Leary tops a major night of boxing in Dublin as the unbeaten Irishman takes on Mark Chamberlain for the IBO World super lightweight title.

O’Leary enters the contest looking to continue his rise through the rankings against the experienced Chamberlain, who aims to return to winning ways after a draw in his third outing since suffering the lone defeat of his professional career.

The chief support sees Royston Barney-Smith meet Reece Bellotti for the vacant IBO Inter-Continental super featherweight title.

Gary Cully also returns in an intriguing domestic clash with fellow unbeaten Irishman Lee Reeves, while Steven Cairns faces Senan Kelly in another all-Irish encounter.

Sean McComb, Ben Fail, Bobbi Flood, Adam Olaniyan, Machlan Arthur, John Joe Carrigan and Sami Hamed also feature on the Queensberry Promotions card.

Updates will be added below as the action unfolds in Dublin, with more live coverage on World Boxing News.


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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Barry McGuigan: Ryan Garcia Faces a Dangerman in Conor Benn at 147 lbs

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Barry McGuigan: Ryan Garcia Faces a "Dangerman" in Conor Benn at 147 lbs

Hall of Famer Barry McGuigan has named one half of the main event between Ryan Garcia and Conor Benn as the “dangerman” at 147lbs.

The two welterweights will collide at Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena on September 12, with Garcia making a first defence of his WBC world title.

He claimed the belt by dethroning Mario Barrios with a unanimous decision victory in February, which followed his surprising points loss to Rolando Romero in May 2025.

Interestingly enough, this defeat came shortly after his year-long doping ban, which he served on account of testing positive for ostarine ahead of his majority decision victory over Devin Haney.

The result of their showdown was then ruled a no-contest, with Garcia subsequently moving up to welterweight after failing to keep below the 140lb limit.

It now seems the 27-year-old is competing at a more natural weight while Benn, who tested positive for clomifene in 2022, has not made 147lbs since his second-round finish over Chris van Heerden that same year.

Speaking with talkSPORTIrish boxing icon McGuigan suggested that this – as well as the 29-year-old’s technical flaws – could prove a major factor against Garcia.

“[Benn’s] got that genetic code from his dad, and he’s got that explosiveness and everything else. But he is predictable – you can see when he’s going to throw.

“You ask yourself: is Garcia just a little bit too sharp for him? A little bit too cute. I think Garcia’s finally found the weight he’s most suitable [for]. I think he’s a dangerman at 147[lbs].

“Maybe Conor Benn has left it a little too late to make 147[lbs] again. I think that could be his Achilles’ heel. I make Garcia a slight favourite but would never write off Conor Benn – he’s got that fighting heart.”

Benn comes off a unanimous decision victory over Regis Prograis in April, which followed his two middleweight encounters with Chris Eubank Jr last year.

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Devin Haney Updates Fight Strategy After Keyshawn Davis Withdraws from Title Shot

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"Devin Haney Updates Fight Strategy After Keyshawn Davis Withdraws from Title Shot"

Devin Haney’s immediate future has been thrown into uncertainty after Keyshawn Davis pulled out of their mandated contest on Friday.

The pair had been ordered to collide for Haney’s WBO world title, with Davis having been named as the sanctioning body’s mandatory challenger at 147lbs.

Multiple reports then suggested that the 27-year-old was offered $3m by Top Rank, his promoter, only for ‘The Businessman’ to reject what would have been a career-high payday.

Subsequently, their bout went to a purse bit hearing, where Top Rank trumped Teofimo Lopez’s Takeover Promotions with a sum of $8,550,000.

This therefore gave Bob Arum’s outfit the promotional rights and, as per the usual 75/25 split in favour of the defending champion, Davis would have been entitled to a share of $2,137,500.

Since Thursday’s auction, though, Davis has excluded himself from the fight and left Haney without an obvious opponent for his first welterweight title defence.

Taking to social mediaWBO president Gustavo Olivieri explained that his organisation must now provide their champion with a solution.

“The WBO hereby confirms receipt of written notice from counsel on behalf of Keyshawn Davis advising that he will NOT accept the 25% purse split adjudicated pursuant to the official WBO purse bid proceedings and, accordingly, will NOT participate in the WBO welterweight mandatory championship contest against Devin Haney.

“In light of the foregoing, the WBO Championship Committee and Ratings Committee will convene to proceed in accordance with the WBO world championship rules and regulations. The applicable ruling will be rendered and published in due course.”

At this stage, it remains to be seen whether Haney will be immediately ordered to face a new mandatory challenger or, given the situation, have the opportunity to make a voluntary defence.

Either way, the 27-year-old has not fought since dethroning Brian Norman Jr in November and is surely eager to return to action.

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