Conor Benn hopes to fight in his homeland of Great Britain again soon.
That prospect remains in limbo after Benn failed two drug tests ahead of a scheduled fight with Chris Eubank Jr. in October 2022, was cleared of wrongdoing by the independent National Anti-Doping Panel, and was disappointed when British officials appealed that decision.
Benn’s case remains up in the air as he prepares to face Peter Dobson in a 10-round 151-pound-catchweight fight Saturday in Las Vegas (DAZN), his second consecutive fight in the U.S. He outpointed Rodolfo Orozco at 154 in September, his first outing in 17 months.
He said he would like to fight at home in April or May.
“I’m 27 going on 40,” he said. “I feel the last 18 months has aged me 10 years. I’ve changed a lot. Things that used to worry me don’t worry me anymore. It’s true when they say that when you go through adversity, it gives you nothing but resilience and strength.
“Would I choose to go through it again? Probably not. Has it taught me a lot about who Conor Benn is as a man? It’s tested me, my character, what I stand for, what I believe in. I’m proud of the way I have handled it at such a young age, and still deal with being a dad, a husband, a son, a role model, it’s a lot.
“Some days I was dragging myself to the gym and it was hard, I was breaking down in the gym, saying ‘I don’t know if I can do this’. So, overcoming all of that, I’m proud of myself and I’m thankful, whatever God’s plan is, I’m trusting the process.”
Benn (22-0, 14 KOs) evidently plans to take out his frustration on Dobson (16-0, 9 KOs), a relative unknown from New York.
The son of former champion Nigel Benn is determined to remind fans that he remains one of the best fighter at and near his weight in spite of his out-of-the-ring trials. He’s ranked No. 5 by the WBC.
“I’ve been on the tip of everyone’s tongue and heavily spoken about,” he said. “Talk is cheap, and actions speak louder than words. I’ve proven time and time again I am what I say I am. Whether it goes the distance or two rounds, every department I do what I say I am going to do.
“You want to get outboxed for 10 rounds? No problem. You want to get beat up for 10 rounds, 12 rounds? No problem. You want to get knocked out early? Come and try me. That’s what this fight is, a reminder that I am what I say I am.
“You will see progress. Even with what’s gone on, you’ll see what I’ve learned and that I’ve been in the gym and stayed disciplined, where many would have fallen off. It’s hard to stay motivated when you are being taken off course, but I have stayed disciplined, and you will see that on Saturday.”
Then, if British authorities ultimately reinstate him, his goal is to face higher-profile opponents at 147 pounds or heavier.
Among those who have been linked with him: experienced countrymen Eubank, Kell Brook and Liam Smith, and top Americans Devin Haney and Jaron Ennis.
“Any Welterweight is not a concern for me, any top American fighter, anyone, no problem,” he said. “I don’t get involved in negotiations; I leave that to my team. This whole period, my team has just allowed me to stay disciplined and work in the gym. …
“I just stay dedicated to what I do. The money isn’t the motivating factor for me, winning is. I love winning, that’s what is important. … I will stay the course and remind everyone why I am one of the most dangerous fighters at 147 pounds.”
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