A2AI-generatedSeptember 11, 2026·2 min read·318 words·5 vocab words·Source: BBC Sport

Nigel Benn Joins Son Conor in Las Vegas

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Nigel Benn Joins Son Conor in Las Vegas
Photo: "Nigel Benn" by Unknown authorUnknown author is licensed under CC BY 4.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/. (CC BY 4.0)
In brief

Conor Benn is preparing to fight Ryan Garcia for a world title in Las Vegas. His father, the legendary former champion Nigel Benn, is supporting him despite saying he would retire. Both fighters have faced drug suspensions in the past but deny taking banned substances. If Conor wins, he and Nigel will make history as a father-and-son champion pair.

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Conor Benn is preparing for a very big boxing He will fight Ryan Garcia in Las Vegas for a world title. This is the WBC welterweight world title belt. His father, Nigel Benn, is sixty-two years old now. Nigel was a very champion in the past. He won his first world title against Doug DeWitt in Atlantic City. That fight happened thirty-six years ago in America.

Nigel lives in Australia and he is very far away. He promised to stop traveling for Conor's fights. It is a very long trip of ten thousand miles. But Nigel came to Las Vegas to help him anyway. He is still helping his son with his career. Conor says his father always lives through him.

Conor had many difficult moments in his boxing career. He had a big rivalry with Chris Eubank Jr. He also had serious problems with drug tests. Conor always denied all of these drug problems. His ban finally ended in November 2024. Conor says he always fights as a clean athlete.

Ryan Garcia also had a drug in 2024. He tested positive after his win against Devin Haney. Garcia also says he did not take drugs on purpose. Now, both of these boxers will face each other.

Conor recently left his long-time promoter, Eddie Hearn. A new group called Zuffa Boxing is organizing this fight.

If Conor wins, he will make history with his father. Only a few fathers and sons won world titles. These pairs include Floyd and Tracy Harris Patterson. Julio Cesar Chavez and his son also did this. Leon and Cory Spinks are another pair.

Conor had a hard points win against Regis Prograis recently. Some people do not think Conor is ready. But Conor does not care about other people's opinions. He wants to win this belt for himself. Nigel will watch his son from the ringside.

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Comprehension
Question 1 of 3

How long is the trip from Australia to support Conor?

Grammar spotlight

Past Simple Tense

One point · A2

The past simple is used to describe completed actions in the past, often with a specific time marker.

From this article

He won his first world title against Doug DeWitt in Atlantic City.

What to know · A2

Use it today

Try saying this aloud

Neutral register

Scenario: Discussing sports history or past events with a friend.

  1. 01That fight happened thirty-six years ago.
  2. 02He won his first match.
  3. 03It was a very big victory.

Register tip · informal

🔑Key Phrases

preparing for a very big boxing matchpreparing for a very big boxing match

Describes the action of training or getting ready for a major sporting event.

Present continuous tense

He is preparing for a very big boxing match next month.

His temporary ban finally endedHis temporary ban finally ended

Indicates that a short-term restriction or suspension has finished.

Past simple tense with an adverb

His temporary ban finally ended yesterday.

does not care about other people's opinionsdoes not care about other people's opinions

Expresses that someone is indifferent to what others think of them.

Negative present simple with a prepositional phrase

She does not care about other people's opinions.

Accent

Article Audio — Kokoro TTS

Nigel Benn Joins Son Conor in Las Vegas

💬Discussion Questions

Open-ended questions to talk or write about — alone, with a partner, or in class.

  1. 1

    Would you like to be a professional athlete? Why or why not?

    Personal
  2. 2

    How important is a father's support for a young athlete?

    Opinion
  3. 3

    Do you think sports bans for drug use are fair?

    Evaluate
  4. 4

    What is the most popular sport in your country compared to boxing?

    Compare
  5. 5

    How do you think athletes feel when they travel long distances for matches?

    Opinion
  6. 6

    Do you think Conor Benn will become more famous than his father?

    Predict
  7. 7

    Have you ever been to a live sports match in a big stadium?

    Personal
  8. 8

    Is it better to have a famous parent or an ordinary parent?

    Compare

News sourced from: BBC Sport. LectoPress rewrites the facts as original graded-reader text for language learners.

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