CONOR BENN, THE NEXT BIG THING?

A few years ago, you'd say the name Conor Benn and people would immediately think 'oh is that Nigel Benn's son?' and you couldn't blame them. This is a young man who had little to no amateur pedigree and not many in or outside boxing knew of him and  yet fast forward to April 10th 2021; he fully bursts into life. Knocking out former World title challenger Samuel Vargas in 82 seconds after a brutal onslaught by the 24 year old. He propelled himself fully into the limelight with that win and the manner of it has opened the eyes of many in and out of boxing.

Conor isn't someone who needed boxing, he's someone who wanted it.  A youngster that grew up with privilege under the fortune of legendary father Nigel, although never given money, Conor supported himself whilst living out in Spain painting and decorating. He lived in both Mallorca and Australia as a youngster and took the gamble of moving to the UK alone to have a crack at being a pro boxer.

The Destroyer, a nickname similar to tat also used by his Father has had 18 pro fights winning all 18 including 12 by KO. This is a fighter that showed straight from the off he wasn't scared of anyone. His style of all or nothing really made him a fan favourite from the start, often leaving him vulnerable to shots he didn't need to take and it was almost his undoing. Put down to the canvas twice and pushed all 6 rounds in a brutal war with little known Cedrick Paynaud, Benn himself admitted he felt he lost the fight and called himself shocking but in the rematch Benn was a different animal. A fight that again went the distance, was very entertaining and provided non-stop action throughout. Benn got the win again this time in better fashion and has moved forward onto bigger and better things.

Now in boxing, we often see sons attempting to recapture the glory of their fathers. Some notable names include Chris Eubank Jr, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr and most recently Campbell Hatton. This mostly ends in disappointment, a statement Chavez Senior wouldn't argue against after shaking his head after watching his son quit against Danny Jacobs. Eubank Jr is a big name in the sport but is yet to win a proper World title and young Campbell Hatton, son of legend Ricky is yet to show his true potential. But with Conor, I truly believe he is someone that can go on to emulate his Father and have a truly great career with some memorable fights and nights. We've seen how devastating he can be with his power and ferocity but he's added to his game, he showed against both Vargas and Sebastian Formella that he can box and move, slip and slide and use his jab efficiently.

He talks well too, even his younger days as a pro, we saw him argue in a presser with Chris Eubank Sr and in most fights he speaks with a high amount of confidence and truly believes himself. A few occasions we've seen him argue with Josh Kelly, Florian Marku and a whole host of other contenders who want a sot against him and who can blame them. He's a big name now in boxing and would be a massive win on any of their cv's.

A win this weekend at the very smart looking Fight Camp against the dangerous Adrian Granados would be another statement made in Benn's ambitions of either a World title shot or a mega fight against Amir Khan or Kell Brook. Granados has tones of experience against the likes of Shawn Porter, Adrien Broner and Danny Garcia and will be a tough nut to crack in what will surely be an exciting fight with drama throughout. The American said he will try to knock Benn out as he feels he has been hard done by with the judges in previous fights and with the Brit's style this should be an all out war with someone getting knocked spark out.

British boxing will soon be crying out for a new PPV star with the likes of Khan, Brook, Degale, Bellew, Froch and Groves all either retired or not what they were, the mantel is there to be taken by who ever wants it and earns it. In my opinion Conor Benn is the future of British boxing and someone that will give us fans the nights and fights to remember.

USE THE CODE 'CPBOXING1' WHEN YOU SIGN UP TO FIGHTZONE HERE - fightzone.uk/signup

Join the revolution and become a member of Fightzone, the all new channel for true Boxing fans. Fightzone brings you unlimited access to all dimensions o the thrilling world of live boxing. For the first time, UK promoters have come together under one umbrella platform, to bring back Friday night Boxing.