Trainer Malik Scott says Conor Benn would give Devin Haney “trouble” with his inside game and punch.
Scott notes that Haney (33-0, 15 KOs) is now clinching a lot in his fights. He states that Benn (24-1, 14 KOs) is “spiteful” in close.
It means that Devin wouldn’t be able to rely on chinching as his main line of defense to neutralize Benn’s offense, as he did in his victory over WBO welterweight champion Brian Norman Jr. last Saturday. Devin would be forced to fight Benn or move constantly.
“If Conor Benn boxes the way he did against Chris Eubank Jr. at any weight class, he could give anybody trouble,” said trainer Malik Scott to the InsideRingShow on X, when asked about Benn fighting Devin Haney. “Conor Benn is very spiteful on the inside. Devin Haney is clinching a lot now, right?
Benn was ringside last Saturday night for Haney’s fight against Norman Jr. at the ANB Arena in Riyadh. After Devin won by a 12-round unanimous decision, Conor called him out. Interestingly, both Haney and his dad, Bill, showed no interest. That was a surprise because the money he would get fighting Benn would be massive. For him not to want to face him is a red flag to fans that he’s not confident he would win.
“He has his daddy’s spirit [Nigel Benn] when he’s fighting. He’s evil. He’s spiteful. He can punch. He has an incredible feint game,” said Malik about Conor.
Benn’s punching power, toughness, and aggression would make it tough on Haney. He could be coming after him in an aggressive way that he hasn’t seen since his loss to Ryan Garcia.
“Here’s another one. He’s been on that stage before,” said Max Kellerman about Benn. “Norman, the look on his face, he has not been here before. Haney looked like he’d been there before. Conor Benn has fought in front of 50,000 people.”