Bloodied Benn Cruises To Points Win Over Prograis

Returning to nan venue of his 2 fights pinch bitter rival Eubank Jr - some contested astatine middleweight - Benn was met pinch an affectional reception arsenic he walked to nan ring, underlining his position arsenic 1 of British boxing's astir polarising figures.

Jeers and cheers echoed astir nan stadium arsenic 'The Destroyer', accompanied by his legendary begetter Nigel, shadowboxed his measurement to nan ringing to a drawstring orchestra.

Benn's profession was halted for two-and-a-half years aft he grounded a supplier tests successful 2022. Although he was later cleared by an anti-doping sheet and denies immoderate wrongdoing, questions proceed to linger among sections of critics.

When nan action began, Benn rocked Prograis pinch a correct manus successful nan closing seconds of nan first round, concisely buckling nan American's legs.

Prograis was rumoured to beryllium carrying an wounded into nan conflict and did not look to move fluidly, his backmost limb looking somewhat stiff astatine times.

He leaned connected his immense acquisition and remained elusive, but struggled to onshore cleanable counters arsenic Benn consistently outworked him successful nan early exchanges.

A conflict of heads successful nan 4th information caused a mini trim supra Benn's correct eye. He responded pinch uppercuts and assemblage shots connected nan inside, while southpaw Prograis shook his caput and replied pinch a consecutive left.

Prograis has spent overmuch of his profession campaigning astatine light-welterweight, 10lb lighter than this contest.

Another conflict of heads successful nan sixth opened up a trim supra Benn's near eye. Prograis landed a consecutive near successful nan seventh, which wobbled Benn momentarily, earlier nan Essex combatant responded pinch a bid of hooks connected nan inside.

Benn's erstwhile promoter Eddie Hearn, watching from nan beforehand statement aft their bitter split, looked connected arsenic nan title drifted progressively towards nan scorecards.