Eddie Hearn has predicted a frosty reception for Conor Benn when he faces Regis Prograis next month.
Benn fights for the first time since dramatically leaving Hearn’s Matchroom for Dana White’s Zuffa Boxing in a one-fight deal reportedly worth $15m.
Hearn, who vehemently backed the 29-year-old following two failed drug tests, revealed that Benn refused to speak to him following his decision to exit Matchroom.
‘The Destroyer’ will face former super lightweight world champion, Prograis at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on April 11 on the undercard of Tyson Fury’s comeback against Arslanbek Makhmudov, live on Netflix.
Benn returns to the site of his two bouts with Chris Eubank Jr, the second of which he won by unanimous decision in November, having lost the first clash on points last April.
But Hearn believes the Ilford man will receive a hostile welcome from the crowd following their public fallout.
“I think the pubic response will be interesting at Spurs when he walks out,” the 46-year-old told Boxing Now.
“Because I think he’ll get booed out the stadium to be honest.
“If he does, I’m a lot more popular than I thought I was.”
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Benn’s two bouts with Eubank Jr took place at middleweight, but his meeting with Prograis will be contested at a catchweight of 150 pounds.
‘The Destroyer’ says his desire remains to win a world title at welterweight, with WBC champion, Ryan Garcia a potential future fight.
Prograis though, who snapped a run of two straight losses with a unanimous decision victory over Jo Jo Diaz in August, has vowed to rip up the script and believes he is levels above Benn.
“I feel like I can beat Benn,” the 37-year-old told Pro Boxing Fans.
“Skill-wise I’m better.
“He can be 180-200 pounds, it’s not going to matter.
“I know I got power and I’m world class level.
“I am 37 now, but I’m getting better and I’m going to go out there and shine and have fun and go do my thing.”
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