Benn To Return In Florida

Conor Benn will make his anticipated return to the ring this weekend in Orlando, Florida, when he takes on Mexican Rodolfo Orozco. 

It’s over 500 days since Conor last stepped through the ropes as a professional - his second-round knockout of Chris van Heerden adding to a blossoming reputation. 

It was a reputation he was ready to cash-in on too. 

Through a combination of the enormity and jeopardy of the occasion, his scheduled fight with Chris Eubank Jr reached beyond the boxing circle. 

Benn was cooler than the other side of the pillow. 

However, it would be a demeanour that fell amongst a poisonous and vitriolic doping scandal. He, his promoter, and the sport of boxing were dragged through the thickest of mud. 

But now we find ourselves here, at the beginning of a redemption arc. 

Conor himself will tell you he has nothing to redeem. He may well be correct. But to those who put him on a pedestal, hoping it would reignite a famed flame, he has a lot of making up to do. 

It may well be unaccommodating at times. I most certainly don’t expect sunshine and roses. 

However, we are in a period in which British boxing is succumbing to the devil it has created. The same devil that has effectively pushed our world heavyweight champion into a sabbatical. 

We are, potentially, under threat. 

Our headliners have faded into retirement, whilst our young crop, albeit devilishly talented, are yet to bridge the gap. 

In essence, there is a place here for Conor Benn. 

And, despite the five-hour time difference, the late notice announcement, and the attempt to shoehorn him into a busy undercard, British boxing will be watching. 

It seems to have been a straightforward process too, with the Florida Athletic Commission openly denying any objection they would have to Conor fighting this weekend. 

So, to Orlando it is to face the durable Orozco. 

Saturday will not be the time to assess whether Benn is ‘back’. What it will do, however, is light the touchpaper for what we all know is coming.  

Just a year later than expected. 

Oscar Bevis