According to Eddie Hearn, chairman of Matchroom and promoter of Conor Benn, talks are underway for a welterweight fight between Devin Haney and Benn. Despite recently making his debut at 140 lbs, Haney may move again, with Benn lined up as his next opponent.

Devin Haney’s (31-0, 15 KO’s) free-agent contract status allows him the flexibility to move freely, facilitating the possibility of facing Conor Benn (22-0, 14 KO’s). Haney also has positive relationships with Matchroom, having fought under their banner or been included in their events in the past; most recently when he faced Matchroom fighter Regis Prograis (29-2, 24 KO’s) on December 9th.

With the talks between Benn and Chris Eubank Jr. for a fight next year having collapsed, Benn is now in the perfect position to face Haney in his natural weight class of 147 lbs.

“Conor Benn messaged me and says, ‘I want Haney’. Devin Haney messaged me and said, ‘give me Benn’,” said Matchroom chairman Eddie Hearn during an interview with Matchroom Boxing.

“I was like, ‘where’s this come from?’. Devin Haney wants to move to 147 [lbs], and we’re in talks now with Devin Haney against Conor Benn. Early stages, but because Chris Eubank Jr. doesn’t want that fight on February 3rd, Conor wants the biggest fight out here, and Devin Haney will be a massive fight.

“Imagine bringing that fight to the UK. It’s a huge fight, but he [Benn] wants [Jaron] Boots Ennis, he wants [Mario] Barrios, he wants everybody. We’re working up against time now, February 3rd is the day that Conor is expected to fight, and yeah, just gotta make sure we get moving and announce that next week.“

With Hearn confirming ongoing negotiations between Haney and Benn, an announcement for Benn fighting Haney on February 3rd might be made very soon. Alternatively, Jaron Ennis and Mario Barrios also seem to be in the picture for Benn to potentially face on the aforementioned date.

The only difficulty seems to lie in the pending case by the BBBofC and UKAD surrounding Benn’s clearance by the NADP. However, as mentioned before, Hearn seems to believe the case poses no barriers to Benn fighting in the UK, even after the recent announcement by the BBBofC of not sanctioning any bout Benn would hold in the UK until his case is resolved.