Eddie Hearn Criticizes Benn vs. Prograis, Ben Shalom Laughs

Promoter clash intensifies after $15M Zuffa deal moves Benn to Fury undercard

Eddie Hearn has described Conor Benn’s April 11 fight with Regis Prograis as a step short of world level. Ben Shalom responded by openly mocking Hearn’s reaction to Benn’s reported $15 million deal.

Benn (24-1, 14 KOs) faces former two-time junior welterweight champion Regis Prograis (30-3, 24 KOs) at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on the Tyson Fury vs. Arslanbek Makhmudov card, streamed live on Netflix. The bout falls under a reported $15 million single-fight agreement linked to Zuffa’s expansion into boxing.

Speaking to Boxing King Media, Hearn focused on the weight and the matchmaking.

“150? It’s good for Conor to try and bring himself down from 160,” Hearn said of the agreed catchweight.

He then assessed Prograis’ current standing.

“I like Regis. You saw in the Jojo Diaz fight he’s not the fighter that he once was. He’s still a decent fighter, but Conor should be much too fresh.

“It was never a fight that we were looking at because I was trying to deliver him a world championship fight. But, as a treading water fight, if you like… It’s going to be weird to see him on an undercard, but I don’t think he’ll be that bothered when he gets paid.”

Hearn also raised the subject of the reported purse.

“Let’s just see what the UFC fighters have got to say. It’s an interesting one. It’s a problem for them.”

Shalom responded sharply to Hearn’s public stance.

“I just couldn’t believe the reaction, I thought it was a parody, I thought Eddie Hearn was playing up, fake outrage,” Shalom told Boxing King Media.

“I found it pathetic in the circumstances, that is what they are, that is what they do.

“They’re all s***bags.”

Shalom compared the situation to Ben Whittaker’s departure from BOXXER.

“It hurt me,” he said. “I put everything into him, so I do know why it hurts.

“Did I get a thank you? No. Did I get a call? No. So it hurt me.

“I’m not saying what Conor Benn did is right, I just found the reaction comical.”

Inside the ropes, Benn faces a seasoned southpaw who built his title run at 140 pounds with heavy left hands and sustained pressure.

April 11 now carries parallel contests. Benn vs. Prograis and Fury vs. Makhmudov in the ring. Promoters across microphones beyond it.