
Conor Benn is keen to put his acrimonious split with Eddie Hearn behind him and focus on securing his legacy.
The Destroyer stunned the boxing world earlier this year when he walked away from Matchroom Boxing to sign a lucrative one-fight deal with Dana White’s Zuffa Boxing.
Having turned pro with Hearn’s stable in 2016 at the age of 19, he departed as one of Matchroom’s main attractions — leaving his former promoter bitterly disappointed.
But Benn, 29, insists he still has nothing but love for the man who guided his career for a decade.
Speaking at the final press conference for his clash with Regis Prograis, which will be contested at a catchweight of 150lb, he said: “Ultimately, I love the guy. Period. Point blank.
“Irrelevant of what’s been said, irrelevant of all the noise, irrelevant of all the back and forth, I’m not here for that. I’ve got love for Eddie.
“I’ve done what’s best for me and my family — I’ve secured my family’s future. That, for me, is more important than anything else on the planet.
“God willing, when all is said and done, we can sit down and have a chat together. My door’s open.
“I have no ill feeling towards anyone at Matchroom — I’ve got love for the whole team.
“Ultimately, this is about securing my family’s legacy, solidifying my legacy and making sure that my kids’ kids go to private school.
“I know how dangerous this sport is and my first job is to give my family the best possible life. That’s what I’m doing.”
Benn, the No. 1 contender to WBC welterweight champ Ryan Garcia, makes his third successive appearance at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday night.
And while he will not be distracted from the job at hand against former two-time world titleholder Prograis, 37, he wants to draw a line under the spat with Hearn.
Benn added: “I’m not trying to be the bigger man. It’s from the heart — I mean it.
“Life’s too short, man, and nobody’s promised a tomorrow. I’m not going to sit here and have beef with anyone.
“I was angry when I turned over [from amateur to pro] and had a chip on my shoulder. I ain’t that guy no more.
“But it comes from going through your own challenges, your own adversity, your own life issues. You overcome them and become a better fighter, a better man, a happier man.
“I’m just so grateful that I’m in this position. I give all glory to God. Where I’m at now is from him — he leads the ship. I let him direct my path.”
The WBO world heavyweight title is on the line for Fabio Wardley and Daniel Dubois on May 9, only on DAZN PPV. Buy as a one-off PPV or included, along with Usyk vs Verhoeven (May 23), with a DAZN Ultimate Tier subscription.


