Former two-weight world champion, Ricky Hatton, has given an insight into Conor Benn’s mindset through a recent text exchange.
Benn’s career has been in jeopardy since October 22 when news of a failed doping test rocked the boxing world. His fight with Chris Eubank Jr would be cancelled, but that was the least of his worries – the young fighter has been attempting to convince fans and governing bodies that he’s a clean fighter ever since.
The British boxing legend told Mega Casino that Benn believes he’s very close to proving his innocence.
“I spoke to Conor by text a few weeks back, and he said, ‘hopefully we’ve got some good news coming through that’s going to clear my name. And it’s been a long time coming.” He said, ‘I’m a champion, Rick, like my dad was. We’re fighting people, aren’t we? And it’s been very, very hard for me’ But he said, ‘I’m just around the corner now of clearing my name.’
‘The Hitman’ would like to see Benn back on track. The undefeated 26-year-old was making a habit of knocking his opponents out, and was beginning to hear his name spoken by world level operators.
If proven innocent, Hatton wants to see that rise continue.
“So, I went, ‘Oh, great. I’ll be made up for you, Conor, when you get that done.’ So, if I’m listening right, it’s only hopefully a matter of time before Conor can clear his name and we can get the ball rolling again, because obviously he was probably the most exciting talent coming through in British boxing, his fights were so explosive just like his dad, like a throw throwback of his old man. And it was lovely seeing him improve.”
Finally, Hatton urged fans and fighters alike to give Benn the benefit of the doubt, at least until the cases against him are concluded.
“And it’s a shame that stumbling block, but you know, you’re innocent until proven guilty. He has been proven guilty, but he believes he can prove his innocence. So, let’s give him the benefit of the doubt and then he can move on with his career then.
So, yeah, it would be great to see Conor back.”