Conor Benn is to return to the ring later this year as he continues to hunt down his maiden world title.
Benn fought twice last year in two contrasting contests: his first fight with generational rival Chris Eubank Jr saw him beaten over 12 rounds, despite putting in plenty of effort in what was a fight of the year contender.
Second time round he flipped the script, knocked Eubank down multiple times and ran out a wide points winner.
Last week Benn sensationally announced he had left his long-time Matchroom promotional stable despite unwavering support from Eddie Hearn during his drugs ban, and has since signed with Dana White’s newly emerging Zuffa Boxing.
His first fight has now been announced and comes against American former two-time super lightweight world champion Regis Prograis up at 150lbs on the undercard of Tyson Fury’s fight with Arslanbek Makmuhdov.
Speaking to Ring Magazine, Prograis was reserved in his prediction but backed himself to look good.
I’m going to do my thing. I’m going to do me, I ain’t got to say nothing else. I’m just going to go out there and do my thing. Enjoy boxing, have fun, I think that’s the main thing. I can’t really give predictions and stuff. I definitely don’t think I’m going to lose the fight, I can’t stay that. I feel like I’ma shine.”
Prograis held the WBA title in 2019, and the WBC strap from 2022 to 2023 and in previous visits to the UK was engaged in an epic battle with then super-lightweight ruler Josh Taylor, but also lost soundly to Jack Catterall for the vacant WBO International light welterweight title in 2024.
