Nigel Benn insists Conor Benn already has retirement plans ‘sorted’

The former two-weight world champion has shared his thoughts on his son’s next steps.

It was announced this week that Conor Benn had signed a five-fight, two-and-a-half-year deal with Dana White’s Zuffa Boxing.

The news follows his victory under a reported $15 million one-fight arrangement with the same promotional outfit.

Now, Benn is looking to settle the score with bitter rival Ryan Garcia.

While he may not be considering retirement anytime soon, Nigel Benn believes his son is already planning for life after boxing.

He told BoxingScene: “Conor’s like me – he will have already stopped [before it’s too late].

“His plans are already sorted, in his head.

“Everyone to their own. I know I got out at the right time.

“Conor really boxed [Eubank Jnr’s] head off, and you’re talking about a blown-up welterweight – and he gave you a good beating.

“If he’s got enough money to secure his life… some people have to get knocked out cold and then retire.

“I believe he should have a third fight with Conor at super middleweight. Conor would still do him.

“He’s not the same fighter he was five years ago, six years ago, and it’s catching up with him. His chin’s gone.

“The next fight, we’ll see where he is – if he’s going to do super middleweight, we’ll see where he goes from there.”

The 29-year-old’s decision to sign with Zuffa Boxing has drawn criticism, but it could be a calculated gamble.

At this stage of his career, the move offers a chance to reset and reframe his trajectory.

The real test will be whether Zuffa can deliver the platform that Conor Benn needs.

Nigel continued: “No disrespect to Eddie, Barry [Hearn] or whatever – when Gerald McClellan was on top of the world, everyone was all over him.

“As soon as he lost to me, where is he? Conor’s looking after himself. 

“It’s always the promoters making money.

“Because Conor’s made a decision, ‘I’ve got to look after my family’.

“If he had lost to Eubank, he wouldn’t have been in this position.

“He would have been dropped – that’s what I believe. 

“I thank Eddie for what he’s done for my son. I’m grateful for that.

“But Conor’s gotta look after his family.

“Conor’s the golden goose.

“Nobody said nothing to Eddie when he left Sky Sports and went to DAZN, or when he took Ben Whittaker away from Ben Shalom [and Boxxer].

“But because Conor’s made a stance, ‘I’m looking after my family’.

“[Hearn] didn’t match [the offer], so I agree with my son.

“Just like Barry stands with Eddie. 

“It brought me back to when all the promoters made me offers. ‘He’s a dog.’ He’s not a dog.

“Are you gonna look after his kids?

“Who’s gonna look after Conor if anything went wrong with Conor?

“Conor’s gotta look after his family and made the best move for him.”

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