Conor Benn, a highly ranked welterweight contender, is looking beyond the legal hurdles and controversies that have recently clouded his career. After a failed pre-fight drug test prior to his scheduled bout with Chris Eubank Jr. last year, Benn has faced significant challenges in clearing his name with UKAD and the British Boxing Board of Control. Despite these setbacks, his planned domestic clash with Eubank seems increasingly unlikely.
Shifting his focus from the legal drama, Benn returned to action with a victory against Rodolfo Orozco in September. He’s now set to fight unbeaten Peter Dobson on February 3 in Las Vegas. Looking ahead to 2024, Benn is eyeing significant opportunities in the welterweight division. While names like Jaron Ennis, Keith Thurman, and Terence Crawford are on his radar, Devin Haney has surprisingly emerged as a potential opponent.
Haney, who recently debuted at super lightweight against Regis Prograis, secured a convincing win, stoking speculation about his next move. Although currently engaged in talks for a defense against Ryan Garcia, Haney has indicated interest in moving up to the 147-pound division by the end of next year. Weighing in at 165 pounds for his fight with Prograis, Haney is considering the challenge of becoming a three-division champion, which would involve facing top fighters like Crawford and Ennis.
Benn, while not holding a championship title himself, is enthusiastic about the prospect of facing Haney. He’s keen to welcome Haney into the welterweight division, offering himself as an opponent ready to introduce Haney to the challenges of this new weight class. “I’ll welcome you to the 147 division,” Benn stated, extending an open challenge to Haney. This potential matchup could be a significant step for both fighters, offering Haney a robust introduction to the welterweight division and providing Benn with an opportunity to solidify his status against a rising star.
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