Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)

Dad, bad and DANGEROUS

- Follow Barry on Twitter at @Clonescycl­one @Mcguigans_gym @Cyclonepro­mo

CONOR BENN is walking the toughest walk in boxing, following in the footsteps of a famous father.

All those who choose to follow a world champion into the ring come with baggage. That baggage is the comparison with dad from the moment you throw a punch.

It’s not fair but it is the reality. Every detail is contrasted. Can he punch like his dad? Can he take a shot like his dad? It’s a tough gig.

I have met Conor several times and I like him. He is smaller than dad Nigel , a welterweig­ht as opposed to a super middleweig­ht.

In the early stages of his career I felt he showed everything a bit too early, tried to KO everybody.

His knockout rate is decent but you have to measure that against the quality of opponents.

Benn has certainly not fought anyone in the class of Sebastian

Formella, his German opponent at Wembley Arena tonight.

Formella i s well schooled , hav ing had more than 150 amateur fights. He is rugged ged and durable, with a great t chin . But he i s not a puncher. His only defeat in 23 profession­al bouts came in August against America’s Shawn Porter.

Formella (right) stood for 12 rounds against Porter, who is tough and resilient, with stamina to burn. The one part of the jigsaw that eludes Porter is power. He unloaded his full arsenal on Formella and won every round but could not put him away.

That has to be Benn’s target at Wembley since, like his father, he relies on his power.

I don’t know if he has Nigel’s relentless ferocity. He can wallop, but does he have the other ingredient­s world-class fighters must have? That is a question he has to go some way towards answering against Formella. I hope he can run through this guy and show us he has world-class potential. The object is not just to beat Formella, it’s about the way he wins.

Conor has not fought for a year because of Covid. His dad was concerned about returning at a time when purses are compromise­d behind closed doors. But I think he made the right call. It was time to get back on the horse.

If you disappear for 12 months it does not work in this business. You have to be visible and be making an impact. This is Benn’s opportunit­y to do just that.

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 ??  ?? NO KIDDING Nigel Benn had a fearsome reputation – but it’s a lot for son Conor to live up to
NO KIDDING Nigel Benn had a fearsome reputation – but it’s a lot for son Conor to live up to

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