Conor Benn in talks to fight UFC star Conor McGregor’s ex-boxing sparring partner Chris van Heerden in April
CONOR BENN is in talks to fight UFC star Conor McGregor’s ex-boxing sparring partner Chris van Heerden.
The highly ranked unbeaten welterweight contender Benn is set to fight on April 16 against either Van Heerden OR Maurice Hooker.
Van Heerden hasn’t fought since 2020 when his fight against Jaron Ennis was stopped in the first round due to a cut he suffered.
And the South African has only fought two upper-tier fighters in Ennis and Errol Spence Jr in his 16-year professional career, both of which he lost.
On a fight with Mcgregor’s ex-sparring partner, Benn told iFL TV: “The day is already pretty much been confirmed.
“We got mid-April. The opponent should be pretty much confirmed. I’m hearing Van Heerden, I’m hearing Maurice Hooker.
“Maurice Hooker turned down the fight three times.
“It’s funny he gets his level, and then they don’t want these risky fights, these former world champions.
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“Those are the names that do want. April 16th, I’m hearing. I’ll just make sure I’m ready.”
Benn would also be open to fighting Chris Eubank Jr in a mega-money second-generation showdown.
Fathers Nigel and Chris fought twice in the 90s with Eubank Sr coming away with a win and the rematch ending in a split draw.
On a fight with Eubank Jr, 32, Benn said: “Any day of the week!
“I am currently walking around at around super-middle (12st) but if I lift my top up I still have abs. People think I am chatting smoke but it is realistic.
“I am walking around at super-middle so making 154lbs (11st) is no problem, I feel strong at 154lbs.
“I spar middleweights in my gym and flew in a super-middle from France for my last fight.
“I like fighting bigger guys, I fancy my chances, I have sparred cruiserweights before.
“They come in the gym thinking they can impose their weight on you and then I let 2-3-4 punches go and they don’t want to know.”