Connor Nigel "The Destroyer" Benn

So what says the hive - was that spook in Peynaud I (dropped twice in the first round) just a fluke, an early speed-bump in his development as he learned the ropes, quite literally, on the job - or was this a sign that yet again the apple is going to fall miles away from the figurative tree, as yet another boxing great's progeny groomed to follow in their footsteps instead fails humiliatingly to live up to expectations & hype?

In his defense, his amateur campaign was beyond an exercise in brevity; he barely even had one, going just 20-2 in a sparse talent pool in Australia (where his father, Nigel Gregory "The Dark Destroyer" Benn has established residence in his post-retirement years). Within three years he was fast-tracked into the pro game, ready or not, and moved from Sydney back to his dad's birthplace of Ilford to capitalize on British recognition of the family name. He made his professional debut on the Anthony Joshua vs. Charles Martin undercard, and has borne all the scrutiny and pressure that comes with being a second-generation fighter but without the fanfare received by a Chris Eubank, Jr.

That said, he did look a poor excuse for a prospect in the first Peynaud encounter - although he did handily win a rematch and look to have improved a great deal in a 10-rounder eight months later. His upcoming opponent, 35 year old trial horse Jussi Koivula of Finland, isn't going to answer every question about young Benn. Even a quick and savage blitzkrieg will only tell us that Benn is at least "pretty good". It does, however, represent a baby step in the right direction, of gradually increasing the quality of his opposition to determine his real mettle.


Benn vs. Peynaud I:

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Benn vs. Peynaud II:

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Documentary:

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He does bear some of Nigel's stylistic characteristics - for better and for worse - but one thing is absolutely clear, and that is that his power isn't even close. I'm not sure handing down the "Destroyer" moniker wasn't a mistake, as that's going to be a lot to live up to - much as I don't think Thammanoon Niyomtrong ever ought to have saddled himself with "Knockout".

 

Exclusively in Sydney, aye. Said he would fight in bingo halls in front of like 20 blokes.

 

No, he only took up boxing at like 17, that isn't young.

 

Not against this LOC, and not with that skimpy a time in the ams.

 

Cory Spinks >>>> Leon, p4p, IMO.