I just want to see the best fights possible. Of course, what I want and what I get to see as a fan of boxing are rarely the same thing. I’ve followed Benn’s career since his debut and look out for his fights. He makes up for his technical flaws with his heart on sleeve all action style which is good to watch. The obvious problem is him coming up the easy way though. I’d throw more support his way if he tested himself against some legitimate competition. If he gets a few L’s on his record as a result it doesn’t matter as long as he puts in a good showing and keeps improving. Just want to see where the kid is really at rather than witness this manufactured pathway of over the hill soft touches until a vacant title presents itself. If he’s ready for superstardom as Hearn keeps saying then he needs to prove it against a real fighter close to their prime like Taylor and if he gets knocked out he will still get the credit for having the balls to go into a fight as an underdog rather than heavily odds on every time.
All this soft matchmaking as someone said does t even help him He isnt learning a lot of nuances of boxing knocking over these shot guys so at some point its detrimental.
You could have said most of the above about Joshua in 2015, right down to the trainer. Hyping the guy up with fights like Gary Cornish. Blowing away the likes of Kevin Johnson as if it's world ranking form. Time will tell, as it did with Joshua, when the styles and levels conspire to make it tougher.
Sims has the IQ of about 75 and that is being generous. He passed on his genes to his daughter, Chloe, who is one of the biggest Z-list schlags on television.
Benn's route typifies Hearn's management style in guiding fighters. Completely removes credible threat at Domestic level in order to work the eliminator/intercontinental/silver titles to secure world title matches. It works in the UK because fight fans accept that 'big night' where dreams come true for local boy. Not so much in the USA where they have a more savvy fan who just want to watch the fighter and the fight. Titles don't fool them. Hearn was amazed that no one want to turn out in Philly to watch Tevin Farmer, he essentially misjudged the room However, without the big PPV pay off at the end I can't help but think the Matchroom modle is flawed. He needs to be able to consistently put on solid shows to justify a monthly subscription and that is hard in boxing anyway, never mind with a weak stable. Benn will work and pay the bills for so long. Then Hearn will move on. The biggest issue is that Benn arguable learnt more from that Peynaud fight than anything before or after.
I see Conor as still a very raw talent. He is improving fight by fight which is encouraging but there is still many questions and the fact they are keeping him away from punchers is concerning. The guy is young, he is exciting and he is taking the life seriously so I can't hate him, I just hope his next fight is half decent and not another has-been with no pop. I think he is very unlucky that this era of the welterweight division is stacked with very good talent and he will be lucky to pick up a proper belt.
They need to step him up. That means fighting live dogs who are active and still ambitious. Fights against Broner or Khan are just more of the same, beating up on semi-retired has beens. Blasting them out early through your physicality and work rate. But learning nothing. Technical deficiencies are there but can’t be worked on when you are in with opponents who only test you for 1-2 rounds before folding.
It's the Hearn playbook that's the issue here. Build a star, take the quick money and then moan about lack of experience when things get tough. Benn has shown he's better than anyone thought he could be which illustrates that he has a level of work ethic and ability that could potentially take him far under the right guidance. So if he was content to stay under the radar for now and take fights like Avanesyan or some top hungry domestic guys on undercards he could learn a lot from them and improve further. Two years down the line he could be a lot more seasoned and a couple of defeats wouldn't matter because he's not being built up as a headliner and superstar. If he truly believes in himself that will come later anyway but he'll be a lot better prepared for it when it does. As things stand he's a fighter that a couple years back people were saying was a bum and now he's on the cusp of fights like Ennis/Ortiz (obviously not going to happen but the fact it's even being mentioned). That's way too much too soon and will likely end badly. There's ultimately nothing wrong doing his career like he is but don't start moaning about lack of experience when things turn sour (Anthony Joshua I'm looking at you)
Typical Hearn route? Disagree that Hearn fighters don't go the traditional route of picking domestic or European titles before going world titles. AJ - commonwealth and British Titles before becoming WC. Okolie - commonwealth, British and European Titles before becoming WC. CBS - British and commonwealth titles. Whyte - British Title Buatsi - British title Cheeseman - British Title Wood - Commonwealth title before becoming WC. Again Avanesyan, beat shot to pieces Mosley for a world Interim belt before becoming European champion in his 27th fight at the age of 31. Yet connor Benn gets criticised for at the age of 25 and in his 20th fight beating a former WC?
You can only defend the opposition for so long especially when he’s blasting through every one of them.he’s ready to go in against younger relevant welters now,so anymore old has beens from now on is taking the **** imo.
His a promoter talking up his fighter. What do you want him to say? "his not very good, his not a star and has a lot to prove". That's not how you promote a fighter. Hearn can say what he wants it doesn't mean the listening public need to believe it.
