Conor Benn vs Chris Algieri – Who wins and why?
Can the ‘The Destroyer’ trump a former world champ
BBN have provided fight fans with predictions from their panel of experts for the Conor Benn (19-0, 12KOs) vs Chris Algieri (25-3, 9KOs). WBA Continental welterweight championship contest this Saturday, December 11 in Manchester:
Peter Sims
Boxing Trainer
"This is a tricky fight for Conor, it’s going to be down to how much Algieri has left at the ripe age of 37.
"I think Conor is going to have to jump on him early and boss the fight from the off. Otherwise Algieri's experience being in with Pacquiao, Kahn and Errol Spence Jr. could be a factor if it goes the distance."
Arijan Goricki
Featherweight prospect
"I don't think that this fight will be easy for Benn, Algieri will ave a lot of experience with being in the ring with hard punchers, like Provodnikov. His only stoppage loss was from Errol Spence Jr. and I don't think that Benn will be able to get the KO over Algieri. Even Algieri's age (37) will not be much of a problem because he is nutritionist and takes care of his body, so he is capable of giving Benn a much harder fight than people are expecting.
"I see toe to toe action that will go to the distance and Benn will win via MD or SD."
Steve Wood
Boxing Manager/Promoter
"Going with Benn by KO in round four. He'll be too aggressive and punch too hard for him – do not know what Algieri has to hold him off."
Derik Santos
Algieri's Trainer
“Conor has to look at himself in the mirror and ask himself can he really keep it together in the face of adversity? Does he really think that he's the greatest thing in the division? I’ve heard a lot of people, even from the UK, who are not exactly fond of his mannerisms. He can be his own undoing.
“He's a fighter, he's training hard, his team is training hard, I respect them, they came looking for us because obviously they're trying to find out at this point where Conor Benn is. If you had to ask Eddie Hearn was he confident in Conor, or is he worried about this fight – he would tell you he's worried, but of course, he’s got to cheer for his man.
“The biggest question about this fight is: does Conor Benn belong at this level? Chris Algieri has already proven his worth, he's been a world champion. He's fought many people who were at the time in their career better and tougher than Conor Benn. This is by far Benn’s toughest fight.
“When water gets in the boat, you’ll find out how people react. Will he sail along steady in the fight? Will he panic and start pushing too hard and ultimately be his own demise? Will he jump out of the boat and drown – we'll find out.
“After his last fight there are questions about his growth, can he go out there and look spectacular against the highest level fighters and that’s the biggest question. He’s going to try and find out when he faces us, and we’re definitely going to give him a test.
“We hope that we can execute and it all clicks on fight night. If it clicks the way he's been clicking in sparring, we will win that night.
“Chris is fighting because he can still fight. Not because he needs to fight. He's fighting because he can still fight at a high level. And that's why we're going over to the UK. And that's why we're going to go over there and give the fans a good show.”
John Raspanti
Boxing Writer
"Connor Benn, 25, is on a roll right now. His confidence grows with every fight. His improvement during his five-year career is evident.
"Algieri, 37, has lost three times in 28 bouts. One of those losses was to welterweight champion Errol Spence Jr. in 2016. Since then, he's won four fights in succession.
"Algieri will box, and Benn will pursue. Eventually, the younger man will land a big shot or two. I see Benn winning by late stoppage or decision."
Tim Rickson
BBN Editor
“I think Algieri will be a tough test for Benn and could be a bit of a puzzle for the youngster to figure out at first, with his vast experience at the highest level, plus his toughness.
“I've got a feeling that Benn is going to be incentivised to do a better job than Amir Khan, who won 117-111 on two cards against Algieri in 2015. Spence beat him in five rounds and I believe that Benn will want to get that stoppage win as well to make a statement and be able to say, 'I belong at your level'.
“Algieri may have won his last four fights in a row, but he has been largely inactive with just five fights in six years. His last appearance in August was his first in over two years, so Benn has the momentum on his side, plus youth and freshness. But Chris is a former world champion, who went 12-rounds with Manny Pacquiao and Amir Khan, and a proven warrior after his epic battle with Provodnikov.
“We don't know if Benn is world level yet, but he is improving fight on fight. I'm sure he will come up against a better fighter sometime soon and get outboxed, but I don't that time is now. At least, I hope!
“I think Benn will start patiently, respectful of the opponent he is win with, but then try to overwhelm him as soon as he hurts him. Despite not having a lot of power, Benn is a good finisher in my eyes. He's spiteful and senses when to go in for the kill. Because he doesn't possess one-punch power, he knows he has to smother them into submission. I think Benn wins by stoppage in the mid-rounds.”
Mick Kane
Boxing/MMA Writer
"Algieri is probably the best fighter Benn has faced to date and will be a big test. Benn has been improving every fight and is always good entertainment. Algieri is on a 4 fight win streak and his only losses have been against Spence Jr, Khan and Pacquiao. Its clear Algieri has been in with the more notable opponents. Benn is younger, will he be hungrier than the 37-year-old American? I think he will, Benn to continue his upwards trajectory and continue to be involved in entertaining fights, with arguably his biggest win yet.
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