Conor Benn has been sharpening ring skills behind closed doors and is eager to return in June
Wednesday 29 March 2017 13:16, UK
Conor Benn says he is a "completely different fighter" after sharpening his skills behind closed doors and hopes to resume his exciting ring career in June.
The 20-year-old welterweight fought six times during a busy start to his professional career in 2016, but has spent time away from the spotlight to work on his technique with trainer Tony Sims.
Benn admits he needed time to refine his all-action style, although he still has a burning desire for battle, and has warned his rivals to expect a new and improved fighter when he makes his expected return at The O2 on June 3.
"I'm going to come back a completely different fighter," Benn exclusively told Sky Sports. "When I turned pro, it was crash, bang, wallop.
"Let's have it with anyone, fighting every month, and I didn't really have time to learn my craft.
"It was about getting fit and dealing with the pressure, it wasn't really about technique. Now I've been working on keeping my hands up, establishing my jab, and firing straight punches, instead of throwing leaping hooks and doing some madness.
"I'm dying to get back out there, I miss that feeling. I went to the [Anthony] Crolla fight and thought about how much I miss being in the ring. I'm hoping June, when I'm ready, and that's when me and my team think I'll be ready."
Despite a brief break from competitive action, Benn insists he has been maintaining a relentless training regime alongside the likes of Ricky Burns and Ohara Davies in the Sims gym.
Benn believes he has matured mentally and physically since making his debut in the paid ranks, just under a year ago, and is eager to showcase his greater punch power.
"It's not like I'm sitting around chilling, doing nothing," said 'The Destroyer'. "I'm in the gym every day, still training twice a day, three times a day on Tuesday and Thursday. People are so quick to assume something, but they only see what I let them see - 10 per cent of my work ethic.
I came into the pro game as a little boy and I feel like the game has turned me into a man.
"I came into the pro game as a little boy and I feel like the game has turned me into a man. If you put up a picture of my body from my debut and my body now, look how different it is. That's just from hard graft.
"My next opponent is going to feel it. I will prove what I have been working on."
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