Why Nigel Benn Can't Walk Away From Conor
Nigel Benn has returned to support his son, Conor Benn, ahead of his major WBC welterweight title fight against Ryan Garcia in Las Vegas. Although Nigel previously announced his retirement from his son's boxing career, he remains heavily involved. A victory for Conor would make the Benns one of the few father-and-son duos to win world boxing titles. Both Conor and Garcia have recently faced intense public scrutiny over past doping controversies, but both fighters deny any wrongdoing.
Despite previously insisting that he was done with his son's boxing career, Nigel Benn was recently spotted supporting Conor Benn in Las Vegas. The older Benn, a former champion who is now based in Australia, had claimed he would stop making the ten-thousand-mile journeys. Yet, he was seen holding court at a recent media event in Essex and standing by Conor before his WBC welterweight title fight against Ryan Garcia.
Conor claims his father simply cannot stay away from the sport. Although Nigel said this would be his last time helping, Conor believes there will always be another excuse to return. Despite the drama, their bond remains incredibly strong. Nigel has supported his son through several career-threatening storms, including a high-profile doping dispute and a split from promoter Eddie Hearn. Conor's provisional suspension was lifted in November 2024, and he has always maintained his innocence, claiming he fights as an advocate for clean sport.
If Conor defeats Garcia, the Benns will join a select group of father-and-son world champions. Nigel secured his own first world title in the United States thirty-six years ago. He is highly confident in Conor's abilities, stating that he is not worried at all about the outcome.
Nevertheless, Conor still faces plenty of critics. His recent points victory over Regis Prograis did not satisfy everyone, and his opponent, Garcia, has faced his own difficulties. Garcia previously received a twelve-month ban after testing positive for a banned substance called ostarine following his 2024 victory over Devin Haney. Like Conor, Garcia denies taking performance-enhancing drugs on purpose. Although the upcoming bout is organised by UFC-backed Zuffa Boxing, both fighters are focused on the prestigious WBC belt.
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Four ways to start. Pick one and try saying it before you scroll on.
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Why would a victory for Conor Benn be historically significant for his family?
Second Conditional
The second conditional is used to talk about hypothetical or imaginary situations in the present or future. It uses 'if' followed by the past simple, and 'would' followed by the infinitive.
“If Conor defeats Garcia, the Benns will join a select group of father-and-son world champions.”
What to know · B2
Try saying this aloud
Scenario: Discussing family traditions and professional paths with your peers.
- 01“cannot stay away from”
- 02“join a select group”
- 03“not worried at all”
Register tip · informal
🔑Key Phrases
Used to describe someone who is drawn back to a hobby, job, or person repeatedly.
My grandfather retired ten years ago, but he cannot stay away from the office.
This phrase describes someone who is speaking confidently to a gathered group of people who are listening attentively.
The director was holding court in the lobby, answering questions from reporters.
Used when someone achieves something rare that only a few others have accomplished.
By winning the marathon, she will join a select group of elite athletes.
An emphatic way of expressing a total lack of anxiety.
I have studied for weeks, so I am not worried at all about the exam.
Used to show a strong, firm statement about stopping an activity, which might later be contradicted.
Despite insisting that he was done with politics, the former mayor ran for office again.
Article Audio — Kokoro TTS
Why Nigel Benn Can't Walk Away From Conor
💬Discussion Questions
Open-ended questions to talk or write about — alone, with a partner, or in class.
- 1
Do you think it is difficult for children of famous athletes to build their own careers?
Opinion - 2
How should sports organisations handle athletes who test positive for banned substances?
Evaluate
News sourced from: BBC Sport →. LectoPress rewrites the facts as original graded-reader text for language learners.
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