Nigel Benn’s undefeated 23-year-old son takes on the German veteran who has been beaten only once – and that by Shawn Porter – at Wembley
Conor Benn steps up a level at Wembley Arena on Saturday night in a searching test at welterweight against Sebastian Formella.
Benn, 23, unbeaten in 16 contests with 11 knockouts, has his father, former world champion Nigel, very much in his thoughts.
“Dad’s already looking past Formella,” Benn said. “He’s in awe of me, loves me to bits. I’ll always be better than my dad in his eyes. I’ll always achieve more than he achieved. That’s just the way my dad is. He’s blinded by love. He’s just saying, ‘go out there and give it to him’ and that’s what I plan on doing.”
Formella, 33, from Germany, has lost just once in 23 contests, to former world champion Shawn Porter, on points in his last fight in August. “I ain’t no Shawn Porter. I’m Conor Benn and when I get in there, I am heavy-handed. Shawn Porter is a world-class fighter but I believe I am more heavy-handed,” said Benn.
“I don’t watch my opponents. I let my trainer [Tony Sims] do that and we work on what I need to for the fight. I don’t need to watch them, I’m not concerned with what he’s good at or not, his power or how quick his feet are. I train hard so I can match what he does.”
Benn has faced more demands this week as promoter Eddie Hearn’s event headliner, but insisted it had added no pressure.
“It don’t really bother me. When I get there, I’m going in there to do a job. Whether I’m on the undercard or the main event, I go in there with the same mentality of trying to get him out there.
“There’s always quite a lot of hype when I fight. There’s always been loads of requirements. It’s always been like this for me – being under the spotlight. It’s OK though, I enjoy it. It’s part and parcel. Nor does it bother me that I carry my father’s name.
“I’ve got past that, that boat has sailed. There’s no pressure on me. I’m an entertaining fighter and I’ll always look to entertain. Even when I look cool, calm and calculated, I’m still exciting. They say I’m reckless, but I believe I know what I am doing. I just don’t do it textbook style, I do it street fighting style.”
However Benn approaches this fight with Formella, it would be wise to break down his foe over the rounds, and look for a statement finish.