Crolla vs Burns: Conor Benn happy to take on Mexican fighting style
Wednesday 4 October 2017 10:24, UK
Conor Benn simply wants to "fight like a Mexican".
The 21-year-old takes on Nathan Clarke in his ninth professional fight at the Manchester Arena, on Saturday, live on Sky Sports.
Benn admits he is still learning the pro game but with a 75 per cent knockout ratio and a "style people love", the son of two-weight world champion, Nigel, is happy to adopt the legendary fighting style going forward.
"That's my style. I've just been watching Erik Morales against Manny Pacquiao, or Arturo Gatti, I'd love to fight like them.
"I've been studying them and I hope I have that style, that Mexican style. Just fight, get hit and you want to fight back. I would love to fight that way. They are just ruthless.
"If someone told me I was fighting someone called 'Alejandro Vargas', no matter how good he was, or who he'd fought, I knew I would be in for a tough night.
"Mexicans are just tough. They just come forward and let you have it."
Benn admits Saturday's opponent Clark, who he fights before the showdown between former world champions Anthony Crolla and Ricky Burns, will be his toughest test to date.
'Destroyer' will be chief support in his third fight at Manchester Arena but despite finding his rise "surreal" and playing down the prospect of challenging for titles, he is looking forward to putting on a show.
"I've just to make sure I look as good as I can on the night," he said.
"Nothing has really changed. I've sorted got used to it and that's it.
"It's a surreal feeling but reminds me I have a lot to prove. I am on Sky Sports for a reason and people want to watch me fight for a reason.
"I am a very exciting fighter, it's my style. I've never boxed by the textbook, I've accepted that. It's now about finesse and perfecting what I do have and what I do. It's just a style people love.
"People want to see a fight and unfortunately that's what I want. I need to calm it down and learn I don't need to be in tough fights early on, it's all about learning, so when I reach my peak, is when I am fighting for titles."
Watch Conor Benn vs Nathan Clarke on the undercard of Crolla vs Burns, at the Manchester Arena on Saturday, live on Sky Sports Action from 7pm and Sky Sports Main Event from 10pm.