Brian Norman Sr. says Conor Benn intentionally didn’t mention his son, WBO welterweight champion Brian Norman Jr., out last Saturday night when talking about moving down to 147 to fight for a world title because he “doesn’t want that smoke.”
Benn’s Silent Omission
Brian Sr. says Benn “doesn’t want that work” against Norman Jr. (28-0, 22 KOs). That’s why he called out four other fighters at 147 after his win over Chris Eubank Jr. in their rematch last Saturday, November 15th, at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. Benn (24-1, 14 KOs) is moving back down from 160 to 147 after two British-level celebrity-esque fights against Eubank Jr., financed by Turki Alalshikh.
Hearn’s Superstar Spin
“A superstar is born,” said promoter Eddie Hearn following Benn’s win over Eubank Jr. “This (Conor Benn) is the star of the 147-pound division. This is the money of the division. That’s why everyone’s calling him out.”
Benn hasn’t beaten any notable fighters at welterweight. His best victories in the 147-lb division before going up to 160 for two fights against Eubank Jr. came against 37-year-old Chris Algieri and Chris van Heerden.
“Neither one of them,” said Brian Norman Sr. to MillCity Boxing about the British fighters Conor Benn and Chris Eubank Jr., not being able to fight the top-level fighters because they would lose. So, they have to fight each other.
If Norman Jr. destroys Haney this Saturday, November 22nd, in their fight on Turki’s Riyadh Season card at the ANB Arena, it’s going to put Benn and Hearn in a tough spot if they choose not to fight him or even mention his name.
The Name Benn Won’t Say
“Let’s talk about who he didn’t call out. Let’s talk about who he called out and who he didn’t call out,” said Norman Sr. about Conor Benn after his win over Eubank Jr. last Saturday night.
After the fight in which Benn won by a 12-round unanimous decision, he called out these fighters:
- Mario Barrios – WBC 147-lb champion
- Rolando ‘Rolly’ Romero – WBA champion
- Ryan Garcia
- Devin Haney
Benn didn’t mention Norman Jr.’s name, and it is evident that he had intentionally left him out. That would be a case of Benn, 29, going to the top of the tree if he fought Norman Jr., and he doesn’t have the experience. Fighting Eubank Jr. didn’t give Conor the experience because he’s not a true upper-tier fighter, and he’s not a welterweight. He’s an aging British domestic-level super middleweight.
“It’s been that way,” said Norman Sr. about Benn not mentioning Brian Jr’s name after his win over Eubank Jr. “He will not say my son’s name. He will not come get that work. He does not want that work. We told them we would go to the UK to the UK to fight Conor Benn. They tried to make Conor Benn vs. Mario Barrios back then.”
UK Popularity Shielding Benn
If Norman Jr. crushes Haney on Saturday, it could work against him ever getting a chance to fight Benn. If he’s not fought any of the killers at 147 up to this point, you have to assume that it’s by design. Norman Jr. will continue to be ignored. With Benn’s popularity in the UK, there’s no pressure that can be mounted on him to force a fight against Norman Jr.
“You want a title. You got a winner right here [Norman Jr.]. They don’t want that smoke. It’s a tailor-made fight. He fights with aggression,” said Norman Sr. about Benn. “You’re not stronger than Brian Norman at 147. You don’t hit harder than Brian Norman Jr. at 147. You’re not going to have the mental fortitude of Brian Norman Jr. at 147.