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Conor Benn Taken The Distance In Controversial Comeback Bout

Written by Kerr Ferguson on 24th September 2023.

Conor Benn comeback video

Conor Benn fought and beat Mexico’s Rodolfo Orozco over ten rounds in Orlando, Florida.

The 26-year-old has been fighting battles outside of the ring from last October when news broke of a banned substance in his system. In the time since, he has become the reluctant portrait of doping in the sport whilst protesting his innocence.

Benn returned stateside due to an ongoing conflict with the British Boxing Board of Control that neither side seems keen to yield on. With no current suspension and a license in Florida, his return came just shy of eighteen months since his last fight.

Orozco entered the ring with a record of 32-3-3, 24 of those wins coming inside the distance but this a leap up in competition. It was his second fight at the super-welter limit – Benn’s first – having kicked off his career eight years ago down at 108lbs.

The Brit came out quickly, landing a flush straight right hand in the first minute. Orozco didn’t have the same intent behind his shots, but kept throwing to see out the round.

Orozco’s tendency to walk straight forward made it easy for Benn to find a home, and he was bleeding from his right eye early in the second. The Mexican did have some success in driving the Brit back into the ropes, but he took punishment in doing so.

Benn was quicker to the punch at the start of the third to wobble Orozco, who stayed on his feet but stopped throwing back. The pair then traded, and the Mexican had a good amount of success. Benn scored a nice uppercut, but Orozco stayed game.

Round four saw more of the same – Orozco showing a good chin whilst finding small pockets of success as Benn danced around the ring and focused on power shots.

The fifth started quickly, another big uppercut from Benn. Orozco chose to trade rather than take a step back. It made it rough and tough for a frustrated Benn, who was getting tagged more than his team would have liked.

Benn – cut on the crown of his head – worked the body in the sixth, taking another round against the impressively durable Mexican. Pace slowed in the seventh, with the majority of the eye-catchers still coming from the Brit.

Battle of the body shots in the eighth. Orozco continued to move forward, taking two to land one. Both men were breathing heavy in the corners before the final two rounds. Benn landed two statement right hands, but the takeaway was once again the Mexican’s impressive chin.

In the last minute of the round, he finally showed signs of being hurt, beginning with a hook to the body and ending with him hanging on after numerous head shots.

Another big right hand for Benn in the tenth, but Orozco was intent on hearing the final bell, and even firing back in an attempt to take the round.

Ten rounds and a unanimous decision victory under Benn’s belt and a warrior mentality from Orozco.

The British board and UK Anti-Doping Agency are awaiting an appeal as to Benn’s latest hearing. Whether or not this fight was a brief return or the touch-paper for a fully fledged and uninterrupted comeback hinges on that.