Preview - Conor Benn vs Samuel Vargas
This coming weekend, the all-action, spiteful-punching, hard-hitting, must-watch Conor Benn takes to our screens in a highly anticipated welterweight clash with Samuel Vargas.
(Photo: DAZN)
In what on paper seems like another step up for ‘The Destroyer’, Vargas should provide a stern test for Benn. The 24-year-old is continuing to make a name for himself, boxing off his own accord and breaking away from the ‘son of a legend’ tag. Each fight, it is obvious to see the improvements that Benn has made, from a raw pro starting out to a now established British welterweight, as well as one making waves on the European and World scene. Saturday night can further solidify Benn as a serious contender in the 147-pound division.
Last time out, Benn put on a career best performance headlining Wembley Arena, when he comprehensively outpointed, outfoxed and out boxed Sebastian Formella. The Ilford man put on a boxing clinic, showing off what he has clearly been repeatedly working on in the gym with Tony Sims. Benn looked sharp, powerful and dealt with Formella with relative ease, which was certainly a big statement from Benn.
Judging Benn on his last performance, compared to the majority of his previous 16 bouts before then, it was like he was a completely different fighter. The vast improvements Benn has made are mesmerising, showing his full repertoire of skills, dealing with a tough opponent in such a cool, calm and collective way.
Benn is continuing to show improvements, fight on fight (Photo: Sky Sports)
Since then it has been all change for Benn, as he became a father. Not only is the 17-0 prospect fighting for himself, now he has even more reason, with a little boy of his own. The continuous improvements and adjustments that Benn has made to his boxing style and technique is admirable, and the sky is most certainly the limit for ‘The Destroyer’.
As each fight passes, it is evident that Benn works extremely hard and believes he can achieve big things in the sport, and who can question him judging on his last performance? The 24-year-old can talk the talk, and is now starting to prove that he can walk the walk. Saturday night is another stepping stone in the career of Conor Benn, and a win over Vargas is yet another box ticked as he aims to get his name amongst the world’s elite.
This time around, Benn faces yet another step up in class as he clashes with Samuel Vargas. The Colombian has faced some of the best fighters in the welterweight division, so a win for Benn would see him catapult even further up the world rankings.
Making his professional debut back in February 2010, Vargas has seen it all. Saturday will be his 40th fight as a pro, having previously won 31, drawn two and lost six. Although the Canadian resident has suffered defeat on six occasions, they have all been in good company. Arguably the best welterweight on the planet, Errol Spence, beat Vargas, as well as some other big names such as Danny Garcia, and more recently the highly touted next Golden Boy star, Vergil Ortiz Jr.
Vargas has fought some of the best welterweights in the world in his career (Photo: Sky Sports)
This isn’t the first time that British fight fans will have seen the 31-year-old fighting on British shores, as Vargas came over as an opponent for Amir Khan back in 2018. Khan defeated the Colombian via unanimous decision, but it was anything but an easy fight for Khan. Vargas had the British star down on the canvas in the second round, and was close to stopping him. Benn will be wary of this, and will most certainly have to bring his A-game if he is to beat the tough South American.
Although fans expect Benn to come away victorious at the weekend, Vargas has plenty of ambition of his own, and will be supremely confident of getting his hand raised on Saturday night. A win would accelerate Vargas right back into the picture at 147-pounds, so it is no foregone conclusion that Benn will get the victory.
Come fight night, a Benn win would make a big statement, as Vargas holds the key to the door to world level. Should Benn get his arm raised in victory, the next step is surely a European title or a big domestic fight.
Previously Benn has been chomping at the bit to fight Josh Kelly, prior to his defeat to David Avanesyan. So now whether or not Benn still wants that fight, we could have a potentially huge domestic battle between Benn and Kelly later this year.
However, Benn has business to attend to on Saturday night and Vargas will be no pushover. Hopefully boxing fans are served up a great fight at the weekend, with yet another fighter putting his name in the mix to become the next breakout star from the UK.
Fighter’s Form:
Conor Benn
Sebastian Formella – WIN – UD (99-91, 99-92, 100-91)
Steve Jamoye – WIN – TKO Round 4
Jussi Koivula – WIN – TKO Round 2
Josef Zahradnik – WIN – PTS (80-71)
Samuel Vargas
Vergil Ortiz – LOSS – KO Round 7
Silverio Ortiz – WIN – UD (77-75, 77-75, 77-75)
Luis Collazo – LOSS – SD (94-96, 92-98, 96-94)
Gabriel Adrian Pereiro – WIN – UD (99-88, 100-87, 99-88)
Event Information:
Date: April 10th 2021
Time: Ring walk approx. 22.30
Venue: TBC
Channel: Sky Sports/DAZN
Official fight poster (@EddieHearn on Twitter)
Elsewhere on the card, Shannon Courtney and Ebanie Bridges clash for the WBA World female bantamweight title, whilst Savannah Marshall defends her WBO world female middleweight title against Femke Hermans. Also on the bill, Ukashir Farooq and John Hedges both feature in bantamweight and super-middleweight fights respectively, though their opponents are yet to be confirmed.