Wednesday 13 December 2017 08:10, UK
Conor Benn feels he has been Britain's most improved fighter in 2017.
The son of living legend, Nigel, fights for the last time this year against Cedrick Peynaud at York Hall tonight, live on Sky Sports.
Benn will be in the ring for the fifth time in as many months after starting the year sidelined with a broken jaw, yet he feels he has already exceeded his own expectations.
"I believe I am the most improved fighter of 2017, I really do," he exclusively told Sky Sports.
"My last fight of last year was terrible, it went one round against someone who wasn't very good, and the fight before that was six rounds and an absolute nightmare.
I am not giving it large. Hand on heart I genuinely believe I am the most improved fighter of 2017. I was terrible before that, shocking, absolutely shocking. I am proud to say it and I am happy to say it.
"Throw them in with me now and they're gone. I am not giving it large. Hand on heart, I genuinely believe I am the most improved fighter of 2017. I was terrible before that, shocking, absolutely shocking. I am proud to say it and I am happy to say it.
"I am genuinely surprised I have improved this well.
Former welterweight world champion Kell Brook is expecting big things from Benn.
"We are only talking about fighting for five months, yet we've got Kell Brook saying I can fly the flag now, people comparing me and talking about a fight with, Josh Kelly, who was an Olympian. A year ago no one would've said that.
"Of course it has surprised me. Over Christmas I know I will sit down and look back at what's gone on. It's madness, a never-ending madness!
"I don't think there is anyone in British boxing going on a journey like I am; the son of a legend, who's come into the game as a little boy and turned out to be a man very quickly - and who is knocking people out."
Benn, 21, who will be spending Christmas in Miami, rather than at home in Essex or with his parents in Australia, is looking at fighting again in March or April.
His father has already declared his son should not be fast-tracked despite his dramatic improvement and although he agrees, the 'Destroyer' did not rule out title success in 2018.
"A year ago no one would've said I was going to be any good. They were saying I would be lucky to get Southern Area, maybe the English title," he said.
"It's the proof in the pudding, because I work hard, really hard. I will fight the names or the best in the division when I'm ready.
"We're definitely upping the opponents. I kind of like that I came into the pro game terrible, so people can see that hard work really pays off.
"Tony Sims has said I will be ready for English or Southern Area level by the summer but I said 'are you sure? I'm not. Are you sure, sure?'. There are still plenty of questions that need answering but this is a journey that is so exciting, I am enjoying it."
Watch Benn vs Peynaud on the undercard to Taylor vs McCaskill, from York Hall, on Wednesday night, live on Sky Sports Action, from 6.00pm.
