Benn advanced into the Welterweight category after van Heerden, says Hearn
Promoter Eddie Hearn said Saturday’s Conor Benn’s battle against Chris van Heerden would be his last before ‘going to the real end’.
The undefeated British heavyweight champion (20-0, 13 KOs) plans to put on another strong tough show against the South African who defeated former world champion Chris Algieri in December.
Ranked in the top 5 out of three of the four governing bodies Benn is ending the big games that will prove whether he can become world champion.
“This will be his last little test before he joins Kell Brook, Mikey Garcia, Danny Garcia, Adrien Broner, Keith Thurman – one of those elite names,” Hearn told the Daily Mail. .
Benn’s career has been carefully planned with his team picking the right teamfights at the right times. The fighter himself has appealed against some of the above names but says he believes in the process.
The 25-year-old has gone from a wild hitter to a more rounded and polished boxer thanks to the hard work he and coach Tony Sims put together. It’s been five years since he was beaten twice in the six-round thriller against Cedrick Peynaud and ‘The Terminator’ has barely misplaced a single foot in the following nine matches. However, the real tests are still to come.
“Conor Benn’s growth has been amazing,” says Hearn. “I’m not saying it disrespectfully, but when I first watched him… to think he was on the verge of a world title, it was unbelievable.”