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Promoter Eddie Hearn is planning to step up the opposition of his star welterweight Conor ‘The Destroyer’ Benn as they close in on a world title shot.
The 25-year-old Benn 21-0 (14) walked through southpaw Chris ‘The Heat’ van Heerden 28-3-1 (12) stopping him with a right hand at 0:59 of the second round at AO Arena in Manchester, England on Saturday night.
Prior to the bout, Hearn said that they had a short list of former world champions for Benn to face next. Hearn said: “This will be his last little test before he jumps in with a Kell Brook, a Mikey Garcia, Danny Garcia, an Adrien Broner, a Keith Thurman – one of those elite names.”
He was equally bullish about Benn after the fight.
“We understand the way he’s demolishing these people, we have to step up the opposition now,” the Matchroom Boxing boss told iFL TV.
“And he’s ready, as far as I’m concerned. He’s ready for those big guys in the next step. But we still have a long way to go.
“You got to trust us a little bit that we’re gonna do it right with Conor Benn because I don’t see many other stars in British boxing at his age that have the potential to be as big as he is.”
Benn, who had a limited amateur career, was facing his first southpaw as a pro in South African van Heerden.
“Everyone thought the southpaw was going to be a problem, but when I say I will beat everyone put in front of me, I stand by that,” Benn said.
Former world champion Amir Khan was in the ring to congratulate Benn after the fight but offered no insight into his future plans.
“I’m just enjoying this time off with the family, maybe I will announce something tomorrow, maybe I will announce something in a couple of months,” Khan said.
“We know money always talks,” Benn said. “If I achieve half of what this man achieved, I will be happy. But it’s idols to rivals. Every up-and-coming fighter wants to challenge themselves against the best.”
“The progression of Conor Benn has been tremendous,” Hearn said after the bout. “He’s boxed all over the country. Great crowd in Liverpool last time out. Great crowd in Manchester tonight as well. This is a true star in British boxing. This could be a global star.
“This is an elite world welterweight fighter. He’s gonna be a world champion. Now we have to set up the opposition. Great development: Vargas, Granados, Algieri, Van Heerden.
“Now it’s time for the more serious players in the division…I’m talking about Mikey Garcia, Danny Garcia, Keith Thurman, Adrien Broner, all these guys, David Avanesyan. We want a big fight, a marquee fight, and finally take him back to London and fill up that beautiful O2 as well.”
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