The kiss of Death: Hearns declares Conor Benn the next PPV star

Done the job he was paid to and got off I'd say!

 

Effectively Hearn is now dictating who is a PPV attraction to the viewing audience. I've never seen or heard anything like it, shows you what a good salesman he is, in most other sport this would be a complete fail.

Not only that, whenever I watch conor benn speak he sounds like he has a massive chip on his shoulder. I don't see humility in him at all, am I the only one thinks this?

 

I''m starting to move away from Sky boxing now and watching other networks and fights. Turning into a soap-drama now with Sky and I won't be lining the pockets of 'PPV Stars' just because there sellable. I'll vote with my wallet as a fan of the sport, I'd rather watch and pay for genuine world class matchups, or domestic fights like the cheeseman's of the world.

 

Hearn might be thinking it but there's no guarantee that benn even gets past European level so they are going to need things to fall in to place before this becomes feasible surely.

 

Totally agree. Seems to be cultivating a kind of 'gangsta' image in the way he gets himself across on social media and such like, it's clearly for a particular young, casual crowd who might just buy PPV. Definitely needs to be cultivated until he gets found out, and no doubt he'll get found out in the US on a DAZN card rather than risking a 10pm Sky show.

 

I think he could be maneuvered into a European title fight say for a vacant title or something. If he reached that sort of level then I think that would be his Everest and a massive achievement because from where he started he was awful. As you say it's a very deep division. Can see him taking a couple of long past their best scalps willing to sell their name for his resume along the way.

 

Got more front than Brighton pier ain't he lol

 

If Joshua wasn't about, who's genuinely PPV worthy, who on earth would they be pushing? They're very lucky he's around right now really. I suspect though if Joshua wasn't about - they'd have Fury.

 

Still here buddy. Was on after the carl frampton fight.

 

Good to hear. Did you enjoy watching the world title fight on Saturday involving an established UK boxer on free terrestrial TV ??

 

I did that...then began to wonder how they could afford it...and that the promoters must be great people. Then remembered it was the same guys that we,re being accused of using drug money to fund it all.

Enjoyed the fight tho.

 

Ah yes, that's a good argument for you from now on - Any quality fight not on PPV or Sky Sports is funded by drug money.

 

I think there's two different elements to this which are maybe getting slightly confused.

Will he be carefully maneuvered into a PPV fight by the Matchroom media machine at some point- YES, I think so.

Will he have a career where he has numerous back to back PPV fights and becomes a huge star- NO, absolutely no chance.

He is just not good enough to sustain any sort of top level career at 147 (or any weight for that matter), he has no realistic chance of winning a world title or even competing regularly at that level, 147 is historically a very competitive division. It's a 'money' division with world class fighters, even very faded versions of those fighters would stop Conor as they are multiple levels above him in ability. To be honest, we are talking about a fighter who would arguably be in a 50-50 against Kongo or Marku- so PPV star, no not really! I'd still like to see him fight Josh Kelly that is a very interesting fight.

I have always thought one of his main problems is how fragile he looks at 147. It has taken him years to build himself up to something approaching a respectable size, but he still looks a very small 147. I agree, the moment he faces a puncher he is finished.

The other point here from a commercial angle, I'm just not convinced he is particularly popular? Well known, yes just due to his surname but I don't think he has a lot of fans, or is well liked by boxing fans let alone the general sport watching public. I have to say he comes very badly whenever he speaks. Atrociously even.

We've all heard him mention the heated range rover seats one too many times I think...

 

Wouldn't surprise me if Hearn is planning on finally making Khan vs Brook, then depending on how shot the winner looks, putting them in with Benn on PPV.

 

Its not just a good argument its a great one tbh. Its not really my business how that particular fight was funded. More a problem for the authourites to sort out than boxing imo.

We know the figures dont add up tho. The only way that can be done on saturday night is if the promoters lost a lot of money on it. Its literally the worst example you could have picked.

Its like arguing...look we got good boxing...the promoter lost a shed of money on it. Then wondering why the sports struggling. To get a sport thats thriving its got to be worthwhile. To lose money on shows isnt worthwhile. Your just gonna end up killing your sport.

If you take eddie out of the equation tho...look around you. Warrens putting on tripe mostly and thats partly funded by bt money. The only other guy trying to do something is mick....who,s just advertised a show with 10 fights all fighting tbc,s.

Theres no real money out there for it unless you do have promoters willing to lose money on it.