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Welterweight Conor Benn, a second generation fighter, the son of Nigel Benn, returns to action this Saturday in the main event of a Matchroom Boxing show from London, facing Sebastian Formella in a pivotal fight for Benn’s career.
The 24-year-old Benn (16-0, 11 KO) has been candid and honest about his development as a prospect. He went pro as a true novice, and has had some nights along the way where he didn’t look good, even though he’s pulled out victories each time in the ring thus far. He’s said before he doesn’t expect to go undefeated forever, but he feels he’s ready for a solid step up against Germany’s Formella (22-1, 10 KO).
“We’ve got a world-level opponent in Sebastian Formella,” Benn said. “His only loss came against Shawn Porter, and as we all know he lost on points. It’s a tough fight and a massive step up but I don’t believe he’s got anything that I need to worry about.
“Is he tricky? Is he this, is he that? Is he well-experienced? Is he a 33-year-old man who’s just lost to Porter on points? I plan on going in there and making a statement, it doesn’t really bother me. They said the same about (Jussi) Koivula, people thought I was going to lose. He was a three-time European title challenger, I banged him out in two.”
How to Watch Benn vs Formella
Date: Saturday, Nov. 21 | Start Time: 2:00 pm ET
Location: The SSE Arena, Wembley - London, England
TV: Sky Sports (UK) | Stream: DAZN (US)
Online Coverage: BadLeftHook.com
Saturday’s main event — which wasn’t supposed to be the main event, but Alexander Povetkin-Dillian Whyte was postponed until January — is a fight where Benn is aiming to look particularly good, and says he plans to go for a stoppage, to really shine by doing something even Porter, a two-time former champ, could not.
“I’ll rise to the occasion. It’s all learning. It’s all growing,” Benn said. “It’s a rollercoaster journey and God willing, I do the job on Nov. 21. Is this a massive test? Yeah. Do I think I’m ready? Yeah, yeah, I do. Am I going to go in there and try to stop him, to let him know what I’m about? Yeah, I am. I plan on introducing myself to the world stage. This is the sort of fight that does that.
“I plan on really taking it to him. It doesn’t take a lot to get me going. With or without a crowd, a fight is a fight. I plan on winning this fight in true Benn style. I’ll find a way to win. Come Nov. 21, I plan on showing exactly what I’m made of.”