Agree with the majority that he’s never gunna do a great deal. Fun to watch at a certain level, but it’s embarassing the hype and publicity he gets when he’s clearly so limited and hasn’t really improved at all
Might as well chuck him in with Kelly and see where they are both at. If Kelly is as good as people say then he shouldn't lose a round and should probably stop Benn. If Benn is better than we think, he may nick a few round and trouble Kelly.
That's a massive gap in quality right there, can't see Conor get past 6 rounds. Better comparison would be who has the largest gap between ego and actual level.
I completely agree in regards to the boxing ability. The ego situation would be a close one, I am going to have to go for Benn on a UD.
Benn Jr is IMO great entertainment but the style he has only works at a good level if you have real punching power like his old man did but without that it's a kamikaze way of fighting, coming straight forward and not worrying about getting hit, only just about works against journeymen but beyond that he's a stoppage waiting to happen.
Connor is fun to watch Never gonna be World level imo but he always give an entertaining fight I dont get frustrated over the hype machine for him as i know what im getting and why Hearn and Sky do it Business is business
If they can keep him fighting at the level he's currently fighting at for another year or two, whilst trying to convince everyone that he's on a learning curve, Hearn can use him to successfully pad out cards as people are intrigued, it's the son of a British boxing legend in entertaining fights.
Do you think Kelly is levels apart? I'm not too sure, I'm really unconvinced by Kelly. He didn't put a dent in Robinson. His style doesn't seem to work without the real power required to prevent the opponent from coming forward. Benn is a tough kid, could see him absorbing some damage (yes I know he was hurt against Peynaud) and putting the pressure on Kelly. I actually wouldn't mind seeing that on a normal Sky show as a headliner. Could be a firecracker and I could see it ending like Gavin-Eggington where the skilful boxer is just overwhelmed by a more tenacious brawler.
I wouldn't consider Kelly good enough to say that is throwing him under the bus. Kelly isn't a big puncher so wouldn't be a damaging defeat if Benn did lose. When the hands by the side stops working and Kelly runs out of ideas, if Benn can get on his chest and let his hands go, it could be a very good fight.
I agree with you both that Kelly ain't a massive puncher but Kelly has skills and it takes someone with sound basic boxing technique to nullify Kelly's work. I wouldn't have Benn as British level atm and Kelly is beyond that defiantly. I think if they met 10 times kelly would beat him 10 times and tbh I'm no fan of kelly
Yeah I don't necessarily think Benn would beat him but until Kelly beats someone like Avanesyan its hard to say he is indefinitely at European level. Benn is probably almost at British level so I don't think the gulf is as big as some people make out.
I've had a few quid on Koivula tonight, 11/4 to win by any method, nothing major, there is a reason they (Team Benn, Matchroom and Sky) believe Benn beats Koivula, a rather strange opponent choice but a sort of clever one if Benn wins in my opinion. I believe it's very noticeable that Matchroom won't let him fight any domestic rivals, like Chris Kongo (11-0) or even Ekow Essuman for the British welterweight title (10-0). They obviously have very little faith in Benn, they are just trying to keep him unbeaten long enough and get him to a PPV all British showdown with Josh Kelly. Anyway, Koivula has a solid enough record, nothing overly impressive but been in with a few decent opponents, but he is 35 years old, lost 3 of his last 6, so it might just be the right time but.. Conor Benn is vunerable, very vunerable, he isn't strong enough for welterweight, he isn't big enough and if Koivula has any ambition left in him and comes to fight I expect Benn to get beaten. I don't know enough about Koivula to go large on him but I'm so sure Benn is nowhere near is as good as they pretend he is it's worth a few quid. My last to "win outright" bet was Ruiz to beat AJ at 16/1.. just saying. And remember.. always gamble responsibly.