Conor Benn admits his father’s guidance is “gold”, but does not need anyone to “hold his hand” as he plots his own career path.
The unbeaten 21-year-old will have his first fight of the year against Chris Truman on the undercard for Amir Khan-Phil Lo Greco in Liverpool this Saturday night, live on Sky Sports.
Father Nigel has flown over from Australia to offer support to his son, who says the former world champion taught him to take responsibility for himself in the unforgiving world of boxing.
“He’s raised a young man, who is ready to face the struggles of life that come my way,” Benn told Sky Sports.
“I learned, I picked myself up, I brushed myself down and I will learn and prosper. I don’t need him there holding my hand. He’s one phone call away if I need him for advice or anything. He’s raised a good, humble, level-headed young man.
“Me and my Dad, as I’ve got older, I understand him a lot more now. We used to argue when I was younger, but as I’ve got older, I understand what he’s talking about.
“It’s great to have him there – the advice he gives me is gold. Before we would clash heads, now I absorb it. He’s been there, seen it, done it, and the man’s achieved everything.
“Push aside he’s my Dad for a minute, he’s absolutely everything. I take his advice very seriously.”
During his tough education in the professional ranks, Benn had to battle back from two knockdowns to defeat Cedrick Peynaud on points last December.
And ‘The Destroyer’ is still learning to cope with the burden of expectation that comes with carrying the famous fighting name into the ring.
Benn said: “I feel the pressure. Not as much as I used to – it was terrible before. It made me go all funny, whereas now I’m controlling it, controlling the pressure, controlling the aggression.
“As I get older, I’m learning more and more. The thing is – I’m learning so quick, where do I stop growing? People can’t say he’ll achieve English, he’ll achieve British, or he’ll achieve world. We honestly don’t know.
“Keep me on a tight lead for a minute. I need to learn, I need to grow. People want to rush me, people want to see me fight for titles.
“My time will come. I’m 21 years young. What about these fighters who are 26, 27, 28? Say I fight for the English title next, what I’m at British level, at 21, 22?
“No, I need to take my time, because I could get this so right. I’m not having anybody rush me, I’m having nobody say you are going to have to do this.
“At the end of the day, I want what is best for me more than anybody else does.”
