Eddie Hearn insinuated that 'badly injured' Regis Prograis is in no condition to fight Conor Benn on the undercard of Tyson Fury vs Arslanbek Makhmudov on 11th April.
Few could see a world in which Hearn and Benn would part ways in such bitter terms after a decade-long affiliation, but the fighter's decision to join rival promotional company Zuffa Boxing has seemingly sparked frustration in the Matchroom camp.
While Benn has spoke fondly of the promotional company and even mooted a potential return at some point in the future, Hearn and Matchroom Boxing CEO have suggested that Benn handled the situation poorly.
Speaking in an interview with iFL TV, Hearn proclaimed that Benn's Zuffa boing debut opponent, Prograis, is in no fit condition to fight, simultaneously implying that Benn's deal with Dana White's promotional company exceeds just the one fight.
He said:
“Anyone out there, use your brain. You think that there have been no other conversations or agreements beyond a one-fight deal to fight Regis Prograis over 10 rounds for $15 million? Regis Prograis – who shouldn’t even be in the ring because he is that badly injured.
“Conor is getting 15 mil, for a 10-round fight, with no futures at all? ‘No Conor, you can take this fight, if not, you can go elsewhere!’ – wake the f*** up. That’s all I am going to say, because the truth shall come to light, very soon.
“Everybody knows about Regis Prograis. I’m not gonna discredit Regis Prograis or the fight. Everyone knows the situation. Whatever.”
Benn and Prograis get set to lock horns on Saturday 11th April on the undercard of Fury vs Makhmudov at the Tottenham Hostpur Stadium, but Hearn's comments coincide with a number of reports that the American is injured.
A number of these reports state that Prograis has pulled out and the bout won't go ahead, but the 37-year-old took to social media to clear the rumours and confirm that he will be fighting in London.
While he did pour cold water on suggestions that the fight wouldn't go ahead, he failed to mention reports of an injury and Hearn's more recent quotes have intensified doubts regarding his fitness.
While Hearn didn't categorically state that Benn's deal with Zuffa goes beyond the Prograis clash, he did imply that this is the case and it raises the question as to who could be next for 'The Destroyer'.
