At lunchtime last Saturday at the Chelsea Ballroom in the back of the Cosmopolitan Hotel in the heart of the Las Vegas Strip, Conor Benn made his ring walk for his second consecutive fight in the United States.
Back in September 2023, Ben won a unanimous decision over little-known Mexican Rodolfo Orozco at a resort venue in Orlando, Florida, and on Saturday he defeated even little-known club fighter Peter Dobson. gave the same result.
Both opponents had been forensically chosen by having more than just a tomato can on the label, but they were definitely chosen by Conor Benn as a stepping stone to redemption, name recognition, and the right to fight one of the biggest names. It was expected to be chopped up and canned.
During Benn's time away from the ring, legend seems to have spread that he is the most feared puncher in and out of the welterweight division. The heavily tattooed son of former middleweight and super middleweight world champion Nigel Benn, he has an all-action, aggressive style backed by smart street trash talk, and is a member of Matchroom Boxing. As one of the lead content providers, it was manna from heaven.
Conor Benn's strange case began at the end of 2020 when he defeated Germany's Sebastian Formella by unanimous decision and outboxed him. Formella's only loss was against Shawn Porter in California three months ago.
Before this match, Benn's popularity as both a product and a person had been steadily increasing, but question marks certainly remained over Benn's ability between the ropes. And while having boxing royalty as his father may give him an advantage in opening doors initially, fans may shut the door on this young fighter if his talent lives up to his name. It was much easier.
Before the fight against Formera, Benn competed in the usual undercard bouts against new pros, gatekeepers, and prospect record-setting European imports. He handled them well, if not brilliantly. The only time he really wobbled was in December 2017 against little-known Frenchman Cedric Peynaud. Benn hit the floor twice in the first round, tasted the canvas himself in the fifth and sixth rounds, and ultimately lost to the British fighter by decision. The following year, they had a rematch on a less dramatic script, with Benn unanimously winning over Peynaud to advance.
2021 has been a great year for Ben. In April, he overwhelmed and stopped tough veteran Samuel Vargas just 82 seconds into the first round. In his next match, Ben aimed for a sustained attack, but had to settle for a unanimous shutout of the cute, backfooted Adrian Granados in September. He ended December by landing the experienced Chris Algieri with a sharp combination with seconds left in the fourth round.
Each game in 2021 was a tougher test than the last, with the quality of the opponents improving. Connor Benn had to step up, pass these tests with flying colors and start being seen as someone who could start feeding on the fringes at a world level.
South African southpaw and former IBO welterweight champion Chris Van Heerden had not fought in two years when he was announced as Benn's next opponent in Manchester in April 2022. Tough and experienced, but befitting a veteran, Van Heerden was an easy task for the overwhelmingly strong Benn. A referee stoppage was forced about a minute from the first bell to the start of the second round.
Connor Benn's bizarre case is about to spark an outrageous conspiracy twist. #BORNRIVALS
“Hello everyone. Welcome to a press conference in London where I'm announcing something that I still can't quite believe. I'm sure many of you sitting here can't believe it at all. Eubank Jr. vs. Ben, October 8thth O2 Arena, live, DAZN PPV exclusive. I wish he had 7 O2 arenas, this fight is just a monster. The biggest in British boxing, perhaps one of the biggest in the history of this country's sport. '' Matchroom Boxing's Eddie Hearn said on the 12th.th August 2022, at a press conference to launch the 157-pound Sportstainment™ event between natural rivals. but…
Breaking News: “Big Match Cancelled, Conor Benn v Chris Eubank Jr. Cancelled. Last minute confirmation of what we reported yesterday.” According to Sky Sports News on the eve of the match 'Word from our co-promoters: After discussions, we have taken the decision to formally postpone the fight. The British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC)'s decision to withdraw cannot be denied.' Organizers say there were flaws and a lack of due process. According to Wasserman Boxing and Matchroom, this remains a legal matter between the promoter and the board, which we intend to pursue, but there are legal recourses to allow the fight to proceed as planned. However, I don't think that would be in the players' interests. It is something that should be pursued at such a late stage or in the broader interests of the sport. ”
The moral, legal, and licensing implications were understandably enormous and extremely disruptive.
“Conor Benn's suspension for failing two drug tests ahead of his canceled fight with Chris Eubank Jr. has been lifted.'' British Anti-Doping Authorities announced on Friday afternoon that Benn and His promoter Matchroom Boxing confirmed the news, which was first revealed, but added that he had 21 days to appeal the verdict of the independent tribunal, the National Anti-Doping Panel. Ben was formally charged by Ukado in April after twice testing positive for the female fertility drug clomiphene. He prepares for a catchweight showdown with British rival Eubank Jr. in October. ” this is. . .was The Guardian reported on Friday the 28th.th July 2023, “Benn was banned from fighting in the UK until the conclusion of the Ukad hearing, but was free to fight overseas. ”
Ben has not yet been relicensed by the UK's BBBofC, so Ozorco is a resort venue in Florida and Dobson is on the Las Vegas Strip. The governing body refused to consider his application until the appeal it launched was heard and Mr Ukad was heard and resolved. That hearing is scheduled for later this month.
Well, where does that leave us now? The plot remains dense and the case remains intriguing.
After Dobson's win, promoter Eddie Hearn told DAZN in the ring, “I'm glad he lost the 10th and 12th rounds. People are always going to criticize Conor Benn, but they didn't step up. Would I go up and fight him?” I know he wants a name at 147 pounds. I'm still completely baffled by the Chris Eubank Jr. thing. You know, people rumor that he weighs 160 pounds. No one talks about Conor Benn moving up two divisions to fight him. And tonight he's going to criticize and talk about this, but he continues to turn down a salary that's three times what he would get elsewhere. So if he wants an easy job and the biggest fight in British boxing history, do it. ”
“Yeah, yeah, he's an asshole, that's it, that's it, that's all, there's nothing else to say.” added Connor Benn.
Of course, Matchroom Boxing wants a Eubank Jr. fight, which may be dark and gothic, but the financial projections are clearly staggering.
In response to this new jaw attack, Chris Eubank Jr. responded by publishing the following on “X, formerly known as Twitter. “Jerry…I mean Eddie…you have my number you can call me anytime, and this is exactly how the conversation goes. There was Bob “Arum” on the other end’s phone…better say it here Yo! ! ! ”
Connor Benn has spent a bit more time on 'X' since Dobson's working lunch, sparking some silly conversations with the great and good in and around the department, all of whom seem keen to participate. is.
To Gervonta Davis “Let's not just talk and let this happen next. When you and I stand in the center of the ring, we'll see who survives.”
Dear Devin Haney “How does Pillow Fist talk about power? Who have you knocked out recently? Now feel my power! Pussy. “
To Errol Spence Jr. “Fight me next time and I'll close the other eye you're fooling around with.”
Conor Benn's case is interesting, but as Eddie Hearn summarized in his post on 'X', he is currently in a great position commercially. “Is there anyone between 140 and 160 pounds who doesn’t want to fight?”Kononigel The whole world is calling his name… It's time for the big battle! ”
But where is he athletically? We'll see if he faces any of the aforementioned Davis, Haney, or Spence Jr.
We might find out if he takes on Kell Brook, Liam Smith or Josh Kelly.
However, it remains to be seen whether he will face another Spider Rico at an American resort venue or ballroom.
