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| Benn had hopes he could fight Amir Khan or Kell Brook. (Photo by= Getty Images) |
[Asia News = Reporter Reakkana] Conor Benn admits he "fears losing" as he prepares to begin his 2022 campaign in Manchester on Saturday night. The welterweight, who defends his unblemished record against South African Chris van Heerden, plans to challenge for a world title this year, BBC Sports reported.
Benn, 25, has become a big star in the last 18 months and admitted the prospect of a first defeat scares him. "I actually fear losing. I don't know I'd handle it," Benn told BBC Sport. Benn, the son of boxing legend Nigel Benn, admitted his own success has surprised him. While southpaw Van Heerden is another good test for Benn, it is not the fight fans were hoping to see. Benn was in talks to fight Kell Brook or Amir Khan but purse demands from both men caused Benn and his team to walk away from negotiations.
"They don't fancy the fight and I don't blame them," he said. Benn has suggested he would be keen to face the winner. "I believe I'm ready for a world title," he said. Van Heerden, 34, is an experienced fighter with just two losses - one of those coming against Spence Jr in 2015. Benn says the former IBO champion contacted him directly asking for the fight, but Van Heerden has spent much of the build-up questioning the Briton's boxing ability.
