Following his victory over Regis Prograis, Conor Benn faces harsh criticism from boxing promoter Lou DiBella, who labels him a 'pedestrian prize fighter' who benefited from cheating. Benn has signed a new deal with Zuffa and a potential fight with Ryan Garcia in August is being discussed.
Conor Benn labelled a 'pedestrian prizefighter' who 'got bigger by cheating' in humiliating takedownThe 29-year-old defeated two-time world champion Regis Prograis by unanimous decision in what was his first fight since making the controversial move to Following the win, it was confirmed that the English boxing star had signed a new multi-fight, multi-year deal with Zuffa, officially closing the door on his previous chapter with Eddie Hearn's Matchroom Boxing.
"He's a big name. Was I surprised? I don't think he means maybe what they think he does," DiBella claimed. When asked if he believed Benn was a fraud, he added: "I sort of do think he is.
I think he's a pedestrian prize fighter with a famous lineage, and a cheater, and frankly, got bigger by cheating. I don't really like that very much.
"He's an anti-hero. I don't think he wants to be an anti-hero, but I think he is. I think he has a following because he's Nigel Benn's kid, and he has a following in the UK where people look past his indiscretions and mediocrity. I think both of them are astounding.
"But a lot of people can look past that. But people like me, they want to see him get his ass kicked.
"Although it is yet to be confirmed, it is widely expected that Benn will next fight in August at a major event in Las Vegas, Nevada. “It’s gonna be in August. We’re gonna have it in Vegas," Garcia said on a livestream when asked about his next fight.
"His name is Conor Benn, he’s from the UK. Yeah, we’re gonna eat that up. Conor’s about to get blasted, guys. ” And despite his disliking towards Benn, DiBella admitted that he would be tuning in to a potential matchup between the pair.
He added: "I'll buy Ryan Garcia and him. I'll watch it, because I'm hoping Ryan's going to knock him the hell out.
"I have a lot of love for Ryan. I think when Ryan's head is together, and he's giving everything to boxing, and he has clarity, and he's not messing around with stuff, I think that he's a very talented kid. And I think he's more talented than Conor Benn.
" Like Benn, Garcia has previosuly been banned for taking performance enhancing drugs after he had tested positive for Ostarine both the day before and on the day of his win over Devin Haney in April 2024. Garcia was fined $1.1 million and suspended for a year in the wake of the tests, returning on May 2, 2025, losing to Rolando Romero by unanimous decision. Ben is a sports journalist who specialises in football, Formula One and MMA.
He has written for publications such as Manchester Evening News, WiganToday, Manchester World and beIN Sports. Throughout his career, he has interviewed top athletes including Gareth Southgate, Luke Littler, Tom Aspinall and Jenson Button. Dennis Taylor interview: Why snooker legend is playing in brand-new event... and how he saved someone's lifeDavid Munyua and Peter Wachiuri interview: 'We wish for major PDC players to come and visit Kenya'
Conor Benn Regis Prograis Ryan Garcia Boxing Lou Dibella
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