WBA champion Rolly Romero labels Conor Benn garbage following Zuffa Boxing deal and Regis Prograis fight announcement

WBA champion Rolly Romero accuses Conor Benn of "running" after the Briton signed with Zuffa Boxing to fight Regis Prograis instead of chasing a title.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 3, 2026, 7:15 AM EST

Source: The information in this article was sourced from SecondsOut.com

A Controversial Departure from Matchroom

Conor Benn has sparked significant debate within the boxing community by ending his long-term association with Matchroom Boxing to join Dana White’s emerging Zuffa Boxing promotion. The 29-year-old fighter has signed a reported one-fight deal to compete on the undercard of Tyson Fury’s comeback bout against Arslanbek Makhmudov on April 11. His opponent for the event is the veteran former champion Regis Prograis, a matchup that has drawn mixed reactions from fans and fellow professionals alike.

Romero’s Public Attack on Social Media

The announcement has elicited a sharp response from WBA champion Rolly Romero, who had previously been linked with a potential title defense against Benn. Taking to X, Romero dismissed Benn’s credentials and accused him of intentionally avoiding a championship-level encounter. Romero characterized Benn as "garbage" and claimed that the move to Zuffa Boxing was a strategic retreat to avoid a high-risk fight for the WBA belt, mocking the Briton for "running away" despite recent call-outs.

Reflecting on the Eubank Jr. Rivalry

Benn’s recent career trajectory has been defined by his high-profile rivalry with Chris Eubank Jr. in 2025. In their first encounter, Benn suffered a unanimous decision loss, struggling to overcome a natural size disadvantage. However, he successfully revitalized his reputation in the rematch months later, delivering a dominant performance that included multiple knockdowns and a one-sided points victory. Following that win, Benn had expressed a strong desire to challenge elite names such as Devin Haney and Ryan Garcia.