BoxRec

Povetkin vs Whyte 2: Conor Benn faces Sebastian Formella on November 21 bill

Conor Benn takes a sizeable step-up in class against Sebastian Formella on the undercard for Alexander Povetkin's rematch with Dillian Whyte.

The exciting 24-year-old welterweight contender risks his 16-fight unbeaten record against Germany's Formella on the same bill as Povetkin-Whyte 2 on November 21, live on Sky Sports Box Office.

Benn blasted aside Jussi Koivula and Steve Jamoye last year, but should receive a more stubborn challenge from Formella, who went the distance with American star Shawn Porter in his only career defeat.

"Formella is a world-level operator," said Benn. "His only loss came against two-time world champion Shawn Porter.

"I know a win here will make a huge statement on the world scene. I feel the critics have a lot of unanswered questions and now I have the opportunity to answer them in a globally recognised fight.

"From the outside this may look like a big step-up but I have prepared extremely hard behind closed doors, working on my craft and climbing the ranks for a fight like this!

"It's now time to carry the Benn name back to where it belongs and this will be another step closer to the top. Make no mistake, I'm going into this fight to destroy Formella, I want to win in true Benn style."

"Conor is a strong undefeated man who likes to box at home," said Formella.

"This will not be an easy fight, but it makes me very proud to fight in the UK this year after my debut in the USA. Of course a fight with spectators would have been even better, but to box in the UK at all is great.

"I am looking forward to this challenge. We will have good tactics to leave the ring as the winner. We will use the short time optimally."

Promoter Eddie Hearn said: "This is a huge fight for Conor and a monumental step-up. We saw Formella tough it out with Shawn Porter a few months ago and he didn't stop trying for 12 rounds and showed a great chin and a lot of heart.

"I have to give Conor a lot of credit, although he has been inactive, he hasn't left the gym and feels that after all he has learned, now is the time to take that big leap.

"This is the fight that can make him a genuine world level contender - it's sink or swim time on November 21!"

If Formella fights like vs Porter, it'll probably be a stinker and a one-sided dec for Benn.

I've not watched Formella, can anyone give some insight to how good he is and his style? Any good fights which I can watch when I've got time which would help gauge this?

Not seen the guy fight , was his fight with Porter , just a tough guy managing to put the rnds in whislt getting easily beat , or a good affair . Conor i gather from what he says in interviews , has been getting paid good money and getting easy fights, its time to step up and pay the piper , see what he's got and if the investment is worth it , .

Wether this will be the one i'm not sure , especielly when theres UK boxers who are available , who i'm sure would love to knock him over and take hs spot

Wow Formella got work again quick huh?

coneye wrote: ↑13 Oct 2020, 18:09 Not seen the guy fight , was his fight with Porter , just a tough guy managing to put the rnds in whislt getting easily beat , or a good affair . Conor i gather from what he says in interviews , has been getting paid good money and getting easy fights, its time to step up and pay the piper , see what he's got and if the investment is worth it , .

Wether this will be the one i'm not sure , especielly when theres UK boxers who are available , who i'm sure would love to knock him over and take hs spot

Yes. Just a tough guy managing to go rounds whilst easily getting beat is a correct summation of his performance vs Porter.

DrDuke wrote: ↑13 Oct 2020, 12:41 If Formella fights like vs Porter, it'll probably be a stinker and a one-sided dec for Benn.

Benn just flawed enough that he it won't be boring I cant see that.

Formella is a capable boxer who has been 12 rounds vs world level, tough fight for Benn..I'm interested

DrDuke wrote: ↑13 Oct 2020, 12:41 If Formella fights like vs Porter, it'll probably be a stinker and a one-sided dec for Benn.

the difference between porter and been is huge though, formella very well could beat benn even with the same level he was vs porter

i've seen Formella in some other fights, vs arriaza and the south african guy, both of who are prob better than anyone connor has beaten. below world level he is a solid boxer

From what you guys are saying , sounds like there looking to see if Benn has the goods ,,, Thing is though not everyone can be a world champ , and i often say it ,, does'nt always matter if there top notch quality , has long has there evenly matched you will get a good even fight ,, Benn does seem to have the heart and desire , so even if he loses theres no reason for him not to carry on and have good even competetive fights and get well paid for entertaining us .

margaret thatcher wrote: ↑13 Oct 2020, 23:34

DrDuke wrote: ↑13 Oct 2020, 12:41 If Formella fights like vs Porter, it'll probably be a stinker and a one-sided dec for Benn.

the difference between porter and been is huge though, formella very well could beat benn even with the same level he was vs porter

i've seen Formella in some other fights, vs arriaza and the south african guy, both of who are prob better than anyone connor has beaten. below world level he is a solid boxer

Sure, Benn is no Porter, but I meant, that Formella just chose to survive against Porter, he didn't try to fight back. If he is that passive, nothing will change.

DrDuke wrote: ↑14 Oct 2020, 04:09

margaret thatcher wrote: ↑13 Oct 2020, 23:34

DrDuke wrote: ↑13 Oct 2020, 12:41 If Formella fights like vs Porter, it'll probably be a stinker and a one-sided dec for Benn.

the difference between porter and been is huge though, formella very well could beat benn even with the same level he was vs porter

i've seen Formella in some other fights, vs arriaza and the south african guy, both of who are prob better than anyone connor has beaten. below world level he is a solid boxer

Sure, Benn is no Porter, but I meant, that Formella just chose to survive against Porter, he didn't try to fight back. If he is that passive, nothing will change.

Some boxers do that. He probably knew he had no chance against Porter so was in survival mode and it looks good going 12 rounds against Porter doesn't it? Even though he didn't win a single round on any card.

Against Benn, he'll be more confident, he'll fancy his chances.

If Sebastian turns up, he has the formella to beat Benn.

Interesting fight for Benn.

black panther wrote: ↑15 Oct 2020, 07:01 If Sebastian turns up, he has the formella to beat Benn.

Interesting fight for Benn.

maverick23 wrote: ↑15 Oct 2020, 07:12

black panther wrote: ↑15 Oct 2020, 07:01 If Sebastian turns up, he has the formella to beat Benn.

Interesting fight for Benn.

Apologies , it's been a long week

You have to have something offensively if you’re gonna beat Benn now. He is there to be outboxed because of lack of schooling.

In losing every round to porter this guy didn’t do very much at all offensively would be the worry I have whether this is the guy to beat Benn.

big step up for benn , formella to me looked very durable and capable against porter , think it shows heart from benn taking this fight though, i see formella stopping benn althoughi think he is also good enough to out point him point him also, plus he has been in with world champion just a few months ago where benn has been inactive

jameswilson wrote: ↑15 Oct 2020, 10:16 You have to have something offensively if you’re gonna beat Benn now. He is there to be outboxed because of lack of schooling.

In losing every round to porter this guy didn’t do very much at all offensively would be the worry I have whether this is the guy to beat Benn.

benn aint at porters leavel . your right offensively in the porter fight formella got nothing going,but porter was on top of him before he had a chance, benn wont be able to do that for more then 3rds porter is a fit lad and could , and he is tough formella, i think benn will beat him up for a few rounds and wont have enough to stop him, then formella will then come into the fight as i think benn will gas, but if benn wins well be a huge win for him in my eyes

I'm not sure Porter is the fight to judge Formella primarily on when he's also fought and beaten guys much closer to benn's level than porter.

margaret thatcher wrote: ↑15 Oct 2020, 11:54 I'm not sure Porter is the fight to judge Formella primarily on when he's also fought and beaten guys much closer to benn's level than porter.

you make a good a point there, i think that fight shows formella will be able to handle benns aggression and is durable but he never looked like even winning around, i just think benn might go hell for leather to early and gas,

This will now headline the card..

I guess Whyte won’t be fighting then.

It's a good fight, ambitious for Conny, respect to him for taking it. Clearly they are becoming more confident in him

im sure if he wins people will call seb a bum, but he aint

margaret thatcher wrote: ↑05 Nov 2020, 04:33 It's a good fight, ambitious for Conny, respect to him for taking it. Clearly they are becoming more confident in him

im sure if he wins people will call seb a bum, but he aint

Conny?

Conor Benn will win a portion of a world title, log it