Conor Benn is following in the steps of his legendary father and making a living inside the squared circle.
The 19-year-old son of former two-weight world champion Nigel Benn has signed to Matchroom Boxing and will make his debut on the undercard of Anthony Joshua's world title fight on April 9th at the O2 Arena.
Conor Benn has been training in the Matchroom gym – and previously alongside Ricky Hatton – since moving to the UK from Australia in a bid to pursue his boxing dream. He'll be making his debut in the Super-Lightweight ranks and says his goal is to surpass his father's achievements:
"Until I get inducted into the Hall of Fame, until I win World titles at three weights – not two, because that's what my Dad did and I need to do more - until I've become the youngest World champion or won more belts, I'll always be Nigel Benn's son, and achieving more will be very hard.
Nigel Benn says he won't play an active role in his son's career.
Nigel Benn – now 52-years-old – made his name as 'The Dark Destroyer' and played his part in a pair of era-defining fights against Chris Eubank in the early 1990s.
Unlike his long-term rival, who mentors his own son's career in Chris Eubank Jr, Nigel Benn has no aim to be a corner man or manager for his son and says he won't even attend Conor's fights after his debut in London.
Don't get your hopes up of seeing a next-gen Eubank vs Benn battle, either. Eubank Jr fights at middleweight, three weights above super lightweight.
[via Matchroom Boxing]
