Sunderland Echo

Benn focuses on Vargas despite prize that awaits

-

Conor Benn has his sights set on a huge domestic fight with either Amir Khan or Kell Brook should he get past Samuel Vargas.

However, the 24-year-old welterweig­ht insists he is not overlookin­g Vargas as he prepares to defend his WBA continenta­l title on Saturday night.

Benn (17-0, 11 KOs) is a rising star in the 147lbs division and produced a career-best performanc­e in his last fight in November, overcoming Germany’s former IBO world champion Sebastian Form ella with a unanimous points decision over 10 rounds.

Vargas represents another step up in class with the Colombian a 39-fight veteran.

Benn knows a win would further enhance his reputation, but the undefeated Essex fighter is refusing to look any further than Saturday night.

“I can’t jump the gun. I did that once before and hit the deck twice in the first round. I’ve got my hands full on Saturdayni­ght and I’ m not overlookin­g Vargas ,” said Benn.

“He has been in with some of the best fighters of our generation.He’ s going to bring everything he knows. He’ s going to bring it all, he’s going to bring the heat and it is going to be a tough fight while it lasts.

“But let me get through Saturdayni­ght and then maybe we can talk about a big domestic fight – the Amir Khans, the Kell Brooks. Amir Khan was a fighter I looked up to and so was Kell Brook –# idols become rivals and all that .”

Benn went the distance in his most rounded and skilful display so far against Form ella.

Saturday will be his first fight scheduled for 12 rounds and while he admits he would like to get that experience under his belt ,‘ The Destroy er’ believe she is capable of knocking out his more experience­d rival.

 ??  ?? Conor Benn.
Conor Benn.

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United Kingdom