White knew exactly what he was doing. Take a well promoted British fighter, box him against an American big name, expose him, and improve the image of boxing in the USA. If Zuffa boxing can succeed, it relies on a huge US franchise and by proxy reducing the UK impact at the top end of the sport. Last night was the first step imho.
I couldn't muster the enthusiasm to stay up and watch it, but made a tidy sum from Paddypower, so I'm happy.
If he does fight CRJ for a 3rd time, lets hope there is no rehydration clause because he will get stopped this time.
That's the best thing about the whole event, honestly – it's actually a real win for boxing, and everyone outside of Zuffa. Plus everyone got to see Conor exposed and embarrassed. Edit: Will add, though, with that referee, Nigel would never have seen round 2 against McClellan.
Stoppage was poor for a start but benn was never winning that wven if he had somehow recovered. First round benn looked ok to be fair but his style is wide open and the levels exposed that. In Benns defense theres no way he should be at 147 he a 160 fighter surely. Hes earned his money, now if he wants to be taken seriously he needs to go back up in weight and go through the levels but his career will end up like eubank Jnr a lot of hype and lot of money but not much else.
Hahahahaha. Absolutely delighted he got splattered all over the ring. Guy is probably the most unlikeable ******* in sport right now, he's an arrogant piece of **** who doesn't belong anywhere near these levels of fights. He only has a career to start with because his daddy. Absolute bum. Hahahahaha
It was a fraction early from the ref for me but that said, Benn looked relieved to be saved and he hadn’t thrown since the knockdown.
Benn got smashed to pieces, the fight wouldn't have gone another round. He's not going to do anything at 160, too small, he'd get murdered at 168 and he's scared of what's waiting for him at 154. He's done.
100%, this time last year Zuffa were barely a thing but events like this and all the controversy around the signing of Benn has made headlines and got people talking about them. The presence has grown, social media followings grown, interest in U.S boxing grown, which would of all been part of the plan. Sure they have overpaid with Benn but when you are starting out you have to speculate to accumulate. Im really not sure why Zuffa gets so much hate, the decline of British boxing has been spectacular over the last 3-4 years, competition should breath some much needed life into it. But their is this strange cohort of people online that take anything against Eddie as a personal attack on them! Getting themselves worked up defending a person who doesn't know they exist! Any way, one thing the whole board can agree with - how nice was it watching Benn getting absolutely destroyed! We all knew the second he faced a real fight he would be exposed. No coming back from this, gimmick fights and retire
Garcia’s previous two fights at 147 were a defeat to Rolly Romero and a points win over Barrios who was coming off a draw with a 47 year old Pacquiao and a draw with Abel Ramos. Shows where Benn is that he got done in 2 rounds.
I can’t stand Benn but he is (or was lol) one of the biggest names in British boxing currently and was one of Hearn’s prized assets. It was a power play from Zuffa and a way to get British eyes on their fights and brand. They’ll cut Benn loose now and he’ll go scrambling back to Matchroom. Also very easy to spend someone else’s money which Dana is doing.
There are losses and there are losses. Getting dropped in the later rounds of a fight but having some success along the way, you can chalk that kind of thing off as 'unlucky' but you have a platform to build off, knowing you can hang with a high quality opponent. This kind of loss is really bad though, the gulf in class was enormous, it looked like a world class fighter against a club fighter. If you didn't know who Conor Benn was, you'd think last night was just a tune up fight for Garcia. Conor talks a good game and I think he partially believed he was destined for greatness, it will be interesting to see what happens to his ego after that kind of a loss. I can only really see a Eubank trilogy then maybe retirement.