The standby opponent for Conor Benn had Regis Prograis withdrawn from their co main event match up has been exclusively revealed to Boxing King Media.
Conor Benn (25-1, 14 KOs) defeated former two time super lightweight world champion Regis Prograis (30-4, 24 KOs) this past Saturday at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium broadcast live around the world on NETFLIX.
Benn coming off two back to back fights with bitter rival Chris Eubank Jr. (35-4, 25 KOs) at the same venue in 2025 dropped back down in weight to 150lbs for the bout and won a unanimous decision victory.
Rumours were rife in the weeks running up to fight night that Prograis had been injured in training camp and many, including Benn’s former promoter Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Boxing were fanning the flames and adding to the pre fight drama.
It has now been revealed that Benn had a standby opponent ready to step in if needed and the contract was signed exactly 7 days prior to the weigh in. Yorkshire based Moroccan – Tarik Zaina (17-3, 12 KOs) was staying at the fight week hotel ready to take the opportunity with both hands if called upon.
Speaking exclusively to Boxing King Media, Tarik sheds some light on how the opportunity presented itself –
‘I signed the contract a week before the weigh in. My manager messaged me and I thought he was playing an April fools prank. He told me it was a serious offer and we had a call with Keith Connolly (manager of Conor Benn) and that was it.
‘I was prepared and didn’t have much weight to cut as I live the life. Then you saw me at the fight week hotel and not many people knew me there, I was like a ghost – but you saw me there and connected the dots, respect to you, you really know the game’.
Zaina most recently featured on the biggest boxing card in Pakistan history ‘International Boxing Championship: Fight For Glory’ presented by Chris Glover of Falcon Promotions. Zaina lost a very competitive fight for the WBA gold welterweight championship but showed he is a very skilled and tricky operator.
‘I think I’ve shown what I can do, with all due respect to Benn – I feel I’ve sparred and fought a number of fighters who have better skillsets than him. Regis was injured as we know and there was only so much he could do on the night.
‘I’m a super lightweight myself and my last fight was at welterweight so it wasn’t ideal for me but I feel I did enough to win and others did too. I improved my stock for sure man. My losses have come at higher contracted weights but I know I have a great skillset. I feel I could’ve really performed better than Regis as well. I’m gutted I didn’t get the opportunity but we move on to the next one’.
He also mentioned he has crossed paths with Prograis before and saw him training with his coach on fight week.
‘I saw Prograis hitting the pads and I could tell instantly he wasn’t 100%. His right leg didn’t look like he had his balance like he normally would. I’ve seen plenty of his fights and I just knew something wasn’t right. His coach said they were ready and it’s all conspiracy theories.
‘Ultimately, you can’t take bread from another man’s plate. If it’s meant for me it would have been. I made weight and I was ready. I was on point, ready to go if needed and hopefully I’ll get my opportunity.
‘Dalton Smith, Adam Azim and those guys are at the top level in my division at the moment and into bigger things. But, I would love to fight Mark Chamberlain for example or Luke McCormack who’s fighting for the vacant British title. Frank Warren if he wants a competitive fight – I’m willing to take on all comers’.
Full interview available on Youtube below –
