19-year-old Conor Benn has some mighty boxing boots to try and follow, but the teenager who will box his pro debut on the Anthony Joshua-Charles Martin bill in London on April 9th, insists he is very much his own man. The son of British legend and two-weight king Nigel Benn, Conor, who will face Luke Keleher in a four-rounder at super-welterweight, told The Evening Standard that unlike Chris Eubank Junior, he does not want his father taking away any of the limelight.
Conor says his father very much agrees how he should, “stand on his own two feet,” and that after just one press conference with his dad, he will be do the talking himself.
“My dad is coming to the ring walk (of the pro debut) because I know the fans will love that. But I won’t be overshadowed,” Benn said to The Evening Standard in an exclusive. “I want to stand on my own two feet and he is 100-percent behind that. You see Chris Eubank Junior’s dad there in front of the cameras. I don’t want any of that. My dad will do one press conference and that will be it.”
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Conor said he wants to fight like his father did, and Ricky Hatton, another of his heroes, but he is honest enough to admit how he doesn’t even know “if I’m any good yet.” If the young Benn proves to be half as good as his father – who engaged in legendary, unforgettable battles with the likes of Gerald McClellan, Eubank, Iran Barkley and Doug DeWitt to name some of his ring wars – the British fans will be in for some great action.
However, Conor made it clear he is well aware of the dangers boxing has. Speaking on the recent and ongoing situation with the incredibly brave Nick Blackwell, Benn said his father has not chosen to try and talk him out of becoming a fighter. This despite the fact that Benn Senior experienced firsthand a tragedy that can happen in boxing with his ill-fated 1995 fight with McClellan.
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“My dad hasn’t tried to warn me off. He let’s me do what I want,” Conor said. “He gets upset about Gerald McClellan. You can see it in him. I feel for Nick Blackwell so much. Any fighter puts his life on the line whenever they get in the ring.”
Indeed it does take enormous bravery to become a fighter, pro or amateur. And in Conor Benn’s case, the added pressure to try and live up to the lofty expectations that will inevitably be expected of him will only serve to make his career that much harder. The first step will come in less than two weeks.
Benn has signed a promotional deal with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom stable.
