Benn: Kelly is ‘only fight’ for me

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Conor Benn on Josh Kelly fight: “They should have taken the chance when they had it”; British rival welcomes future fight on social media after Benn seals points victory over Sebastian Formella

By Richard Damerell

Last Updated: 21/11/20 11:56pm

5:33
Conor Benn issued a challenge to Josh Kelly after beating Sebastian Formella

Conor Benn issued a challenge to Josh Kelly after beating Sebastian Formella

Conor Benn said a British battle with Josh Kelly is “the only fight I’m interested in” after a career-best points win over Sebastian Formella.

The unbeaten 24-year-old welterweight easily coped with a step up in class, dominating his German opponent with controlled aggression to seal a unanimous decision with scores of 100-91, 99-91 and 99-92 at The SSE Arena, Wembley.

Benn immediately declared his intent to face Kelly, the former Team GB fighter, after bringing up the 17th victory of his career.

Benn sealed a unanimous decision win over Formella Benn sealed a unanimous decision win over Formella

Benn sealed a unanimous decision win over Formella

“You’ve got all of these fighters calling me out, I’m only interested in one fight and that’s Josh Kelly,” Benn told Sky Sports.

“That’s the only fight I’m interested in. You can forget all these other people calling me out, because they’ve got loads of Instagram followers. I don’t care. If they aren’t benefitting me, I don’t want it.

“The only big domestic I want is Kelly.

“As for people saying I’m scared and all that, stop talking rubbish. Do I look like a scared fighter?

“They [Josh Kelly’s team] should have taken the chance when they could, because I’m on the up.”

Promoter Eddie Hearn said: “Josh Kelly will fight David Avanesyan in January. If he gets through that test, and Conor will have one more, that is an absolute blockbuster for the summer. It’s a massive domestic fight.”

Kelly insists he is focusing on the Avanesyan fight, but was quick to welcome a future battle with Benn on social media.

He tweeted: “There’s one fight on my mind atm a more dangerous one than benn…avanesyan.

“We offered Benn the fight before, but 2021 there should be a big domestic [fight] for the European title after I win in January.”

Benn also voiced his respect for Formella, who previously lasted the distance in a points loss to American former world champion Shawn Porter.

Benn tested Formella's durability with his sustained aggression Benn tested Formella's durability with his sustained aggression

Benn tested Formella’s durability with his sustained aggression

“I hit him with a straight one-two in round nine and I thought, this geezer is tough,” said Benn.

“You heard him wincing in there when I hit him to the body, but I’m not going to blow everyone out.

“He went the distance with Shawn Porter and I beat him just as good.

“I still had loads of gears left. I went through more gears with (Cedrick) Peynaud.

“When the going really gets tough for me, that’s when you’ll see me at it.”

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