What was billed as another progressive step up in competition for Conor Benn (18-0, 12 KOs) ended up being just another day at the office at the Copper Box Arena as “The Destroyer” stopped tough veteran Samuel Vargas (31-7-2, 14 KOs) by TKO in just one round.
Having been burned in the past by looking past an opponent, Benn promised in the lead up to his clash with Vargas that he would be solely focused on the Colombian native.
But, after taking just one round to force the referee to step in and stop the fight, Benn let out his aggression on the microphone and called out everybody from Amir Khan to Shawn Porter.
“He said I had no power–whatever he said,” said Benn after the fight. “It’s irrelevant, because a lot of people can talk.”
Benn has come a long way in a short amount of time, and while many in boxing may have been hesitant to put him in the category of a Vergil Ortiz or Jaron Ennis before tonight, he may have proved he’s just as good as any prospect at 147.
“Statement made,” said a confident Benn after the fight. “Easy. Formella, easy. Give me a proper test.”
While many names were mentioned, one fighter that both Hearn and Benn continued to come back to during the post-fight interview was Amir Khan.
Obviously it’s a huge domestic fight, but based off what we saw tonight, Khan may not be interested in that contest because we know his chin will not be able to withstand Benn’s power.
Benn has a lot of options, and at the very least we should see him in the ring one more time in 2021.
“We must box at least twice this year,” said Eddie Hearn after the fight. “After a performance like that, how can you not get excited?”
Indeed, Benn’s performance has a lot of people buzzing and waiting to see what’s next for The Destroyer.
CONOR BENN POST-FIGHT INTERVIEW
