By Barry Holbrook: Eddie Hearn says welterweight contender Conor Benn will be returning to the ring in December, and there will be an announcement soon about the opponent.
Many boxing fans believe that the 24-year-old Benn, ranked #10 WBC, #12 WBA, #13 IBF, will be facing Adrien ‘The Problem’ Broner next.
That’s a guy that Benn called out recently following his 10 round unanimous decision win over journeyman Adrian Granados earlier this month on September 4th in Leeds.
Broner vs. Benn is possible for December
Hearn says he’d like to match Benn (19-0, 12 KOs) against the still young 32-year-old former four-division world champion Broner (34-4-1, 24 KOs). A fight between Benn and Broner would make a lot of noise if Hearn could get it made.
However, it wouldn’t be cheap to get Broner to agree to a fight with Benn because the American has always been in huge fights during his career. For Broner to be used as the B-side for an up and comer in Benn, it would be a bitter pill for him to swallow.
Given Broner’s lack of success in the last five years in his career, he’s not in the position any longer to be making demands. Broner’s record in his previous four fights is 1-2-1.
Broner’s inactivity and poor results in his recent fights have dropped him from the top 15 by the sanctioning bodies at 147.
Still, Broner remains a famous fighter, and Benn would do well if he could face him in December. It would step up from Granados because Broner would come to fight, and he wouldn’t be moving around trying to avoid Benn.
Benn needs to continue to take on experienced veterans to keep learning to get him ready to challenge for a world title eventually. At 24, Benn still has time to improve with the help of trainer Tony Sims before he goes after a world title.
Benn didn’t benefit from a lengthy amateur background like many of the top welterweights in the division. As a result, he’s learning as he goes using older veterans like Granados and Samuel Vargas to improve.
Hearn to make an announcement soon
“He now sits as a major player in British boxing,” said Hearn about Benn. “He next fight will be in December, and an announcement on this will be made soon.”
If Hearn wanted to take a risk with Benn, he’d match him against #6 WBC David Avanesyan, who has been calling him out lately. Avanesyan recently destroyed Josh Kelly in six rounds, and he wants a piece of Benn.
Unfortunately, there doesn’t seem to be any interest on Benn or Hearn’s part in making the fight with the heavy-handed Avanesyan.
“I see this fight. I know Adrian Granados. He’s a good boxer and has a good chin. I can’t say it’s an easy fight for Broner. I think Conor was thinking too much for a KO,” said David Avanesyan to Secondsout. “I want this fight with world title fight for Conor Benn. Why not?”