Conor Benn looking to use Adrian Granados as springboard
There is no question that WBA Continental welterweight champion Conor “The Destroyer” Benn (18-0, 12 KO’s) is on a mission to stay busy. On July 31, Benn will test his might against the challenge of Adrian “Tigre” Granados (21-8-3, 15 KO’s). The bout will stand as his third outing in nine months. It will also mark the fifth defense of his WBA Continental title. Yet, for the son of the infamous Nigel “The Dark Destroyer” Benn, it will be just another day in the office.
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Sure, Conor Benn, ranked #9 (WBA), #10 (WBC) and #13 (IBF), acknowledges that Granados has competed with several top fighters. During his career, Tigre has had the chance to face Kermit Cintron, Adrien Broner, Shawn Porter, Javier Fortuna, Robert Garcia and Danny Garcia. Despite losing the greater bulk of these matches, one can’t take away the lessons that he learned. Even still, Benn is viewing his next opponent as little more than a springboard to the next step in his career.
“He is definitely a stepping stone on my way to the top, but so was [Samuel] Vargas and [Sebastian] Formella! But he is definitely a better test. I mean he keeps talking about how ‘oh I’ve been in with the best, I’ve been in with this top boy’[well] you’re in with another top boy [now]!”
STAYING GROUNDED
In his native UK, The Destroyer is well aware that there is a grand expectation for him to do something great in the sport. Being the son of his father certainly doesn’t help the matter! Luckily for him though, Benn has a laid-back sort of demeanor that helps keep him grounded, as he told Pep Talk UK.
“I see myself as a husband, a father, a grandson as a person. I don’t see myself as the future of British boxing or all the glitz and glamour that everyone be calling me. Because at the end of the day, if I lose my next three fights, what, am I am finished? Because that is what people are going to say, so you have to learn to take what people say with a pinch of salt.”
BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND
Yet, simply because he doesn’t feel like a superstar doesn’t mean that Benn can’t appreciate his notoriety. The Destroyer knows he still has a ways to go to achieve his goals, but he has come a long way to reach his current place in the sport.
“I think there is more of a demand to see me fight. Not discrediting any world champions out there, I think that’s just it. My viewing numbers are heavyweight numbers, so people wanted to tune in and see me fight and I think that’s what it comes down to.”
So now that the talking is all but done, the only major thing left to take place is the fight itself. It will be interesting to see how Benn does with the well-experienced Granados. Will he remain flawless in an impressive showing or will Tigre prove to be too much? Regardless of the outcome, 3kingsboxing will be there to report the aftermath!
By: Bakari Simpson
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