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Benn: "The Minute I Smell Blood,
I'm On Him Like A Rash"
Conor Benn is aiming to end a successful 2021 in style when
he defends his WBA Continental Welterweight Title against
former World Champion Chris Algieri at the top of the bill
at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool this Saturday December
11, live worldwide on DAZN.
'The Destroyer' (19-0, 12 KOs), who has made incredible
improvements under Tony Sims, is one of the hottest talents
in world boxing following an impressive run of standout wins
that have skyrocketed him into World Title contention in the
ultra-competitive 147lbs division.
The 25-year-old Essex native sent out a brutal warning to
his Welterweight rivals by wiping out Samuel Vargas inside
the opening round at the Copper Box Arena in April, living
up to his nickname as he took just 1 minute and 20 seconds
to viciously halt the durable Colombian.
Benn was left frustrated by the tactics employed by Adrian
Granados after widely outpointing the Mexican-American in
their rescheduled clash in Leeds but the rising star is
expecting a much tougher assignment against the USA's former
WBO Super-Lightweight ruler Algieri (25-3, 9 KOs) this
weekend.
"The Formella and Vargas fights were great experiences for
me because they showed me that I’m a fighter," said Benn.
"You hear people say that they fight for the crowd and need
a crowd. You don’t need the crowd there. It could be Donald
Duck and Mickey Mouse sitting ringside for all I care. I’m
not paying attention to who’s there, it’s me and my opponent
and I’m going in there to iron him out. That’s my job.
That’s my objective; and I’ll get it done.
“Granados gave it all the talk and we thought he was going
to come to fight. He didn’t come to fight; he didn’t even
come to win. He said that he had to knock Britain’s ‘golden
boy’ out to win but he got on his bike. I might as well have
been in there with a journeyman because that was the way he
was carrying on. He was very negative; he never threw any
meaningful shots and he never engaged. I wasn’t able to
capitalise on anything. There’s only so much you can do
against someone who comes in not to win.
“My preparation for Algieri has been great. Every camp we
build and build. We grow and develop. I plan on displaying
my boxing brain come December 11. Every camp I have I don’t
think I could push my body any more, but I manage to. You’ve
got to push your body to the max. Before you know it, you’re
reaching new PB’s. That’s standard for every single camp.
You always keep learning. I’m a student of the game and
school is never out. I’m always working on something.
“I’m ranked in the top 5 with the WBC and the top 10 with
the WBA and IBF. That doesn’t satisfy me. I want to be
number one. Second to none as my dad would say. I believe
there’s a lot left for me to prove, not to anyone else, but
to myself. When I first turned pro, everyone thought I was
Southern Area level at best, then it was British and best
and then European. I’m knocking on the door for a World
Title and I believe in 2022 is going to be my year to take
on some of these World Champions. I continue to prove myself
every single time whoever they put in front of me.
“It’s going to be a Christmas special. It’s a Christmas
cracker, that’s what it is. You’ll always get criticised for
who you fight. People are saying Algieri is old. He’s 37 and
he looks after himself, but I’m preparing for a prime Chris
Algieri and I believe he is going to bring absolutely
everything. He’s a former World Champion. We’re testing the
waters in my career. We need these fights to test the waters
and see where I’m at. I believe I’m world level, and I
should beat people like Chris Algieri with ease. I’m very
confident in my ability and everything we have been working
on. I’ve just got to go in there and leave my stamp. The
minute I smell a bit of blood, I’m on him like a rash."
Benn vs. Algieri tops a huge night of boxing in Liverpool,
Irish sensation Katie Taylor (19-0, 6 KOs) defends her WBC,
WBA, IBF, WBO and Ring Magazine Lightweight crowns against
WBA Mandatory Challenger Firuza Sharipova (14-1, 8 KOs),
‘The Welsh Wizard’ Joe Cordina (13-0, 8 KOs) continues his
push for Super-Featherweight World Title action in 2022 when
he meets Belgium's Miko Khatchatryan (13-0 7 KOs), former
European, British and Commonwealth Super-Lightweight
Champion Robbie Davies Jr (21-3, 14 KOs) takes on Henry
'Hank' Lundy (31-9-1, 14 KOs) for the vacant WBA Continental
Title, undefeated Belfast Middleweight talent Caoimhin
Agyarko (9-0, 6 KOs) makes his Matchroom debut against Noe
Larios Jr (14-0, 6 KOs) for the vacant WBA International
Title, former Team GB star Calum French makes his
professional debut at Super-Lightweight, Tokyo Olympian
Peter McGrail (1-0) steps though the ropes for the second
time as a pro against Engel Gomez (8-3-1, 4 KOs) over six
rounds and is joined on the bill by his debutant brother Joe
McGrail who fights over four rounds at Super-Bantamweight,
Chatteris Featherweight Jordan Gill (26-1, 7 KOs) returns,
while former professional footballer Paddy Lacey (1-0) has
his third pro fight.
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