Shakur Stevenson Blasts Conor Benn After Prograis Win

On April 11 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, Conor Benn had his first fight since leaving Matchroom Boxing, defeating Regis Prograis by unanimous decision. After Benn’s win in London, WBO super lightweight world champion Shakur Stevenson spoke to Ariel Helwani and took aim at Benn’s performance, before declaring what he would do to the Brit, should they meet.

Conor Benn defeats Regis Prograis in London

Before Tyson Fury made his return, Conor Benn (25-1, 14 KOs) fought for the first time after leaving Matchroom Boxing and signing for Zuffa Boxing in a $15 million one-fight deal, covered by Turki Alalshikh.

Benn faced Regis Prograis (30-4, 24 KOs) at a 150-pound catchweight. He made his way to the ring under a wall of cheers from the partisan crowd and started brightly, landing a right hand in the first round. Prograis looked unsteady throughout the fight and unsure of himself. He later revealed that he was carrying a series of injuries.

Despite carrying various injuries, Prograis showed bravery and experience, and caught Benn coming in with regularity. The crowd began to grow restless in the fourth round, with the fight adopting a pedestrian pace, with the American having his best moments in the fourth and fifth rounds.

Benn was always in control, but it would have been great to see him move through the gears and put Prograis under pressure; it looked like he was unable to increase the tempo. Benn’s body work was the highlight of the fight, and helped him ensure he won most of the rounds. The scorecards read 98-92 x3, all in favour of Benn.

Shakur Stevenson issues brutal warning to Conor Benn

When asked in the ring after he dominated Teofimo Lopez, who he wanted to do next, Shakur Stevenson (25-0, 11 KOs) said:

“There’s a fighter in here right now, and he motivated me, too. Where’s Conor Benn?” 

“Hey Conor Benn, we can get it banging, boy. We can get it banging!”

Stevenson added: “I want that same rehydration clause that you put on (Chris) Eubank Jr. and I want a fight.”

Before anyone could blink, Benn was in the ring to confront Stevenson: 

“You’re too small for me,” Benn told the undefeated Stevenson. “You’re tiny, you’re tiny. You can’t punch. You can’t keep me off of you. I’ll rough you up.”

An undeterred Shakur Stevenson said: 

“Sign the contract. Let’s make it happen.

“Eddie (Hearn),” he shouted over to his Matchroom Boxing promoter, “I want him, he’s food.”

Stevenson has recently appeared on the Ariel Helwani Show, dismissing Benn’s win over Prograis, and promised to deal with the Brit in style:

“I’ve been told y’all I’m better than him. I’ve been told y’all he’s not on my level. I’ve been told y’all that his skills is not up to par with mine.

“Like I said, if he’s ready to fight, tell him to stop going on social media and making up lies, saying that I said, ‘Oh, I won’t fight that weight class.’ I said I will. I said, with a rehydration clause, because he did it to Eubank.

“He’s not on my level. I’ve been said this, and I will beat the holy sh*t out of Conor Benn.”