Conor Benn to emulate father Nigel Benn with whirlwind start

Teenager Conor Benn is keen to follow in the footsteps of his father Nigel and blast his way to boxing prominence.

Nigel 'The Dark Destroyer' Benn made his debut in 1987 having just turned 23 and the future two-weight world champion went on to record 12 knockouts in 12 bouts that year.

Now his son Conor, 19, has arrived in London determined to emulate that achievement and will soon announce the details of his first professional bout.

The light-welterweight told Sky Sports: "I believe if I'm fighting every month it's going to be an exciting year. I want to bring that excitement back - that's the important thing. There's massive pressure but if my Dad says I can be better, I believe him.

All those thousands of views on YouTube [for Benn Sr] were me while I was at school. You watch it back and you just think 'what an animal.'

"I've got a lot left to do until we can even be put in the same category. I've only had 22 amateur fights, still young and fresh and just turned 19. I've got a lot to prove.

"The amateur game is not my game. I want to be putting those 8oz gloves on and clobbering people. That's what I want. I just love fighting. If I fight like my Dad then it's something you can't imitate. You punch me then you're getting punched back twice as hard.

"Expect that. Place the fear of God in someone. That's just me. I wasn't brought up rough and ready like my Dad. I had a privileged life in Spain for 12 years and then Australia for two and a half years. I've lived a privileged life but it's just something inside you. You want to get down to the grit. It's something you're born with.

"All those thousands of views on YouTube [for Benn Sr] were me while I was at school. You watch it back and you just think 'what an animal.' How he's gone from being that big, bad Benn to being a loving, caring Dad? He's the perfect man. If I'm half the man my Dad is in and outside the ring, I'll be content."

Benn Jr has already trained with the likes of Ricky Hatton, Mark Tibbs and Tony Sims as well as his father but is yet to confirm who will train him as a professional.

"I'll be staying down here in London and everything will soon be announced. I'm taking my time because as soon as it's announced, it's going to be one hell of a journey. For all the Benn supporters out there, it's going to be a massive year.

"I've just come from Australia and that's a big move in itself. Learning the boxing game here is a massive step. As long as I surround myself with the best in the UK, that's all I need. That confidence of being with the elite.

"This is where it's all happening. In the UK is where I've got the support, the back-up, the Team Benn supporters. Where else would I want to box?

"I'm staying in Ilford at the minute and I want to fight every month of the year. Why fight four times in a year and take four years to get where I want to get to? I'll fight eight times a year and take two years."