What next for Conor Benn? Eubank Jr, Broner, Khan and other possible opponents
- Joe Hewlett
- 7 February 2022
Conor Benn is set to become the next posterboy for British boxing, but the question is who will he fight next?
2021 was a solid year for Conor Benn.
He opened proceedings in April with an incredible knockout win over Samuel Vargas. Blink and you'll miss it comes to mind when looking back at this fight, with it lasting just 82 seconds before the referee intervened.
Considering Vargas had taken Amir Khan the distance in 2018 - and even knocked Khan to the canvas - it makes it even more impressive that Benn made such light work of the Canadian Colombian fighter.
In September, Benn fought Adrian Granados in Leeds - a fight rescheduled following Benn's positive Covid-19 test in the summer. Granados promised to bring the heat but when it came to fight night, he offered very little. Benn would win the 10-round bout on points.
To finish 2021 off in style, Benn destroyed Chris Algieri inside four rounds at the M&S Arena in Liverpool.
"The Destroyer" wants to fight anyone and everyone but the question is, who will be his next opponent? Planet Sport takes a look at the contenders.
Chris Eubank Jr
This is a fight that fans would love to see and Benn has said he would have no problem facing him.
There is a lot of history in the surnames with their fathers Nigel Benn and Chris Eubank Sr having one of the most epic rivalries in British boxing history.
Eubank Sr won the first encounter in 1990 while the rematch three years later ended in a draw although many felt Benn had done enough to win.
Could this fight happen? It's very unrealistic. Eubank Jr fluctuates between middleweight and super middleweight (160-168lbs) while Benn is at welterweight (147lbs). For the fight to happen they will need to meet at a catchweight.
Benn is only 25 so you can't rule him out moving up in weight but as for 2022, we will not see the second-generation fighters colliding.
Kell Brook
The former world champion is set to face Amir Khan on February 19 and has expressed his interest in facing Conor Benn this year.
Brook was once considered as a future Pound for Pound king after winning the IBF world title from Shawn Porter in 2014.
However, back-to-back defeats to Gennadiy Golovkin and Errol Spence Jr. halted Brook's progression after suffering severe eye injuries in both.
Speaking about a possible clash against Benn, Brook said: "I know that Conor Benn is banging the drum for some big fights. I love a challenge.
"He looked fantastic, sensational in his last fight against [Chris] Algieri. We've sparred together and we're very, very good friends. I think it would be a fantastic matchup - me and Benn."
Adrien Broner
On paper, it's a huge name but in reality, it's a winnable fight against someone who has won one fight in four years.
Broner - who has been in the ring with Manny Pacquiao and Mikey Garcia - is a former three-division world champion but problems with the law in addition to his poor attitude has seen him produce poor performances in the ring.
Not only would it generate big numbers in the UK, but it would also establish Benn as an emerging star across the Atlantic.
Eddie Hearn told Planet Sport that Broner remains the top target for Benn and it could be an easy fight to make with Broner seemingly in need of making money.
Mikey Garcia
The former four-division world champion was rated as a Pound for Pound superstar before he moved up to welterweight.
Garcia challenged Errol Spence Jr. in 2019 and many felt his boxing skills would see him overcome the American but he fell remarkably short. Unable to deal with Spence's size and reach, he lost a one-sided bout on points.
The 34-year-old returned and beat Jesse Vargas but more recently tasted a shock loss to the hands of Sandor Martin last year. Garcia would be another huge name on Benn's resume and Garcia has been working with Matchroom Boxing for his last two fights.
Unless the paycheck is huge, it's unlikely Garcia will accept the fight. He recently admitted he is contemplating a move back to lightweight.
Terence Crawford
Crawford is one of the best active fighters in boxing today and showcased his skills against Shawn Porter in November.
The problem for Crawford is getting big names to fight him. Errol Spence Jr. is fighting Yordenis Ugas next and it leaves him with very few options.
The welterweight division has never been as weak for elite fighters and while the fight against Spence is the most in-demand fight to make, fans may have to wait until 2023.
Crawford has already beaten two Brits in Amir Khan and Kell Brook but this is a fight way too soon for Benn to take.
Amir Khan
Britain's youngest Olympic-medallist in boxing - at the age of 17 - seemed intent on his upcoming grudge match against Kell Brook being his final fight.
Closing in on 40 fights, Khan is a former unified light welterweight champion and has beat the likes of Paulie Malignaggi, Marcus Maidana and Devon Alexander.
Despite being adamant on calling it a day after his next fight, Khan has made a U-turn and is contemplating another bout. Conor Benn previously called out the 35-year-old and should Khan get past Brook, he may fancy one last big payday.
