Conor Benn faces what looks a fair test when he takes on Samuel Vargas at Wembley Arena on Saturday night but it’s one the son of the legendary Nigel can pass as he looks to one day follow in the footsteps of his father.
Odds of 1/16 about the Destroyer highlight what is expected to happen and from a betting point of view the question isn’t likely to be will Benn win the fight, but more will the unbeaten Brit be able to get his experienced fighter out of the ring before the final bell?
Another Stepping Stone for Benn
The Destroyer is moving up in class fairly swiftly and was an impressive winner against the capable Sebastian Formella last time out.
Benn brings an unbeaten 17-fight record to the ring and has been well matched in his short career. The 24-year-old now looks ready to continue his rise and chase bigger honours than the WBA continental belt that he currently holds.
There are plenty of options, both domestically and internationally, and it would be no surprise to see him pursue a showdown with fading fellow British fighters Amir Khan or Kell Brook, should he come through against Vargas.
Vargas May Not Go the Distance
The Colombian, who is priced up as the 13/2 outsider, has been in with top-level performers Errol Spence Jr and Danny Garcia, while Khan had to get off the canvas to defeat the Bogota boxer in 2018.
More recently, Vargas has mixed it with Luis Collazo and 2019 Ring magazine Prospect of the Year, Vergil Ortiz Jr.
There’s no doubt that he will carry a fair threat to Benn, but he has been stopped by Ortiz Jr, Spence Jr and Garcia and at this stage of his career, his punch resistance may be fading.
Vargas may only be 31-years-old, but he has plenty of miles on the clock and often, it’s the battle scars that have a bigger impact on fighters than their date of birth.
A stoppage win for the Destroyer would send a major message and at the prices it looks worth backing Benn to put on a show.
The fight not to go the distance is available at 4/7 and Benn to win before it goes to the judges at 20/29 looks a safe enough wager.
Spence Jr battered Vargas with a fourth-round win but Ortiz Jr and Garcia had to wait for the seventh round to end the fight. A Benn win in round seven is available at 10/1 and the fight to be over in under 7.5 rounds is rated a 50/51 shot.
Bridge Too Far for Ebanie
On the Wembley undercard, Shannon Courtenay takes on Ebanie Bridges for the vacant WBA world female bantamweight title and the Baby Face Assassin rates a strong fancy for a stoppage victory.
Courtenay was beaten by Rachel Ball, who she was originally due to rematch on Saturday, but that was an unfortunate defeat and the Hertfordshire fighter will have benefited from the experience.
That was only her sixth professional fight and it was clear that she was settling as that bout progressed.
"SHE LIKES TALKING, I LIKE FIGHTING"
@scourtenay is pleased there is no more talking and says that now is her time to shine in the ring against @EbanieBridges
#CourtenayBridges pic.twitter.com/4c5fyVx6Y4
— Sky Sports Boxing (@SkySportsBoxing) April 9, 2021
Courtenay has the skills and movement to dominate the contest, and although she isn’t blessed with huge one-punch power, the Hertfordshire hitter has the boxing ability to overwhelm her limited opponent.
Bridges has only really been in with extremely low-level opposition and the Aussie has failed to get three of her five opponents out of the ring before the final bell.
She hasn’t mixed it with anyone near the level of Courtenay and she is likely to be completely outclassed. Take Courtenay to end the fight before the distance at 20/31.
*All odds correct at time of writing.