BENN BLASTS HIS WAY TO FIRST ROUND DEBUT KO
Son of legend Nigel kicks off pro career in style
London, UK (10, April, 2016)– Conor Benn kicked off his pro career with a first round KO win at The O2, live on Sky Sports Box Office.
Benn showed all his father Nigel’s trademarks as he fired in heavy shots from the first bell of his exciting future in the paid ranks, and the 19 year old made sure his first night would be a short one as he cornered Hungarian Ivailo Boyanov and handed him more punishment before the referee waved it off.
“It is unbelievable,” said Benn. “This is something that will stay with me until the day I die, it is an unbelievable reception I got. I told you I am bring the Team Benn vibes back and here it is, there is much more to come.
“The crowd have welcomed me and then it is me focusing on what I have got to do – get in there and do the damage.
“If I can fight in front of a crowd like this and just embrace it and perform the way I did, then let’s fight every month, as much as I can. I have to be three-times World champion, not two.”
“My heart was going like the clappers,” said Nigel Benn. “Now you can see what he has got in store – he is quality, he likes to fight just like me and he has the tools. I am proud that he will be working with Eddie Hearn, he couldn’t be with any better promoter. I can go back to Australia now – I am not coming back here anymore, I cannot take it anymore!
“He wants to be better than me and he is going to be better than me.”
SELBY SURVIVES SCARE TO SEE OFF HUNTER
Welshman floored for the first time in his career in second round
Lee Selby survived a second round knockdown to defeat mandatory challenger Eric Hunter in the second defence of his IBF World Featherweight title at The O2, live on Sky Sports Box Office.
Selby started off well in the opening round but hit the deck in the second after Hunter landed a solid counter left-hook.
The Welshman saw out the remaining 30 seconds of the round and shook off the shock of hitting the canvas for the first time in his career, with the Philadelphia man unable to capitalise on the opening he made as Selby regained control of the clash.
Hunter had a point taken off for a low blow in the eighth round and looked like he could fall foul of the referee as he flirted with more shots south of the belt, and that deflated the challenger and Selby moved clear down the stretch, holding onto his title with scores of 115-111 116-110 116-110.
“When I got put down, it was only a little flash knockdown, it was nothing,” said Selby. “I have one of the best chins in the business, I wasn’t even hurt one tiny bit. He was a big puncher, a good fighter, the number one challenger, number one ranked fighter in the World, and he put on a good performance but I was a little bit too good for him.
“I always like to put on a good show for the fans. You see me when my ring tune comes on, I like to dance to the ring and fighting at The O2. That brings the best out of me and gives me a feeling like no other. It was nice to put on a good performance again and now I want the big names in boxing.
“A few top fighters have called me out recently; Carl Frampton, Leo Santa Cruz, they have mentioned my name and I am open to all offers, I will fight anybody. I will leave it to my manager, promoter and adviser to pick my opponents – I will fight anybody.
“I am not a fighter who will pick and choose opponents, I want to be the best and I will fight anybody.”
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