Conor Benn

Early Life and Professional Career

 

Conor Benn, born on September 28, 1996, in Greenwich, London, is the son of the former two-division world champion Nigel Benn, which placed him in the limelight of the boxing world from an early age. Growing up in a household steeped in boxing heritage, Conor was naturally drawn to the sport, though he initially showed a keen interest in football before fully committing to boxing.

 

Benn’s amateur career was relatively short and intense, reflecting his late start in the sport at the age of 17. Unlike many of his contemporaries who had extensive amateur experiences, Benn had about 20 amateur fights, a modest number by professional standards. Despite this, he demonstrated remarkable progress and a fierce competitive spirit that hinted at his potential. His amateur stint was characterized by a steep learning curve, honing his skills in a compressed timeframe, which prepared him for a swift transition to professional ranks.

 

Notable achievements in his amateur career included participating in the Haringey Box Cup, a significant event in the UK that attracts international talent. While he didn’t amass a large collection of amateur titles, his raw talent and knockout power were evident, leading to a professional debut that was highly anticipated due to his family name and his evident pugilistic skills.

 

Professional Career

 

Since turning professional in 2016, Conor Benn has trained under Tony Sims, a connection fostered through Benn’s father, Nigel Benn, who had previously sparred with Sims. Benn’s professional debut was marked by a commanding performance on April 9, 2016, at The O2 Arena in London, where he defeated Ivailo Boyanov by technical knockout in the first round.

 

Benn continued his momentum, securing a points victory over Luke Keleher at The SSE Hydro in Glasgow in May, followed by a knockout win against Lukas Radic in June. On September 10, 2016, Benn was scheduled to fight Silvije Kebet, but after Kebet withdrew, Benn defeated Joe Ducker by technical knockout in the second round, improving his record to 4-0.

 

His ascent continued on September 24, 2016, with his first six-round fight against Ross Jameson at the Manchester Arena, a venue notably associated with his father’s championship bouts. Benn won by a clear points decision. Despite withdrawing from a scheduled fight in November due to illness, Benn returned on December 10 to knockout Steven Backhouse in the first round during the Anthony Joshua vs. Éric Molina undercard.

 

After a brief hiatus, Benn fought at the O2 Arena on July 1, 2017, stopping Mike Cole with a third-round left hook. He then fought on the NXTGEN series on Sky Sports, securing a second-round stoppage over previously unbeaten Kane Baker at York Hall. On October 7, 2017, Benn knocked out Nathan Clarke in the first round at the Manchester Arena, indicating his readiness for international competition.

 

Benn’s U.S. debut came on November 11, 2017, at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale, New York, where he continued his streak of knockouts by defeating Brandon Sanudo. Later that year, he faced Cedrick Peynaud in a dramatic fight at York Hall, overcoming two early knockdowns to win by decision.

 

In 2018, the British Boxing Board of Control slated Benn against Isaac MacLeod in an English welterweight title eliminator. He continued to impress with a TKO victory over Chris Truman on the Amir Khan undercard in Liverpool. Benn then rematched Peynaud, securing the vacant WBA Continental welterweight title with a unanimous decision.

 

Benn’s rise continued as he defended his title against Jussi Koivula and Steve Jamoye, both by technical knockout. In 2020, he decisively defeated former IBO welterweight champion Sebastian Formella, showcasing his growth and skill over ten rounds.

 

Benn’s career faced a significant challenge on October 8, 2022, when a planned fight against Chris Eubank Jr. was canceled due to Benn testing positive for a banned substance. After a prolonged legal battle, Benn returned to the ring in 2023, defeating Rodolfo Orozco and continuing to maintain his undefeated record. Despite ongoing challenges, including a temporary suspension in 2024, Benn’s career remains marked by his resilience and determination inside the ring.