Conor Benn stopped Samuel Vargas in the opening round to send out a brutal warning to his welterweight rivals and then called for a big domestic clash against Britain's former world champion Amir Khan
Sunday 11 April 2021 11:32, UK
Conor Benn blasted aside Samuel Vargas after just one minute and 22 seconds of a whirlwind stoppage victory and then called out Amir Khan.
The unbeaten 24-year-old unloaded a torrent of spiteful shots that left Vargas reeling on the ropes, prompting the referee to swiftly wave it off, and Benn quickly expressed his desire for a big domestic clash with Khan.
"Give me Amir Khan," Benn told Sky Sports. "I know he's too busy on reality shows and all that. But listen, if he wants it, he can get it.
"I can deal with pressure. I can cope with it, because I'm built for it.
"I'm ready for the top dogs - Shawn Porter, I see Adrien Broner campaigning at 147(lbs). I want them.
"I'm the most rapidly improved fighter globally."
Khan had been floored by Vargas during a points victory in 2018, but Benn ruthlessly dealt with the Colombian, who had previously proven his toughness against a string of star welterweights.
Benn menacingly marched to the centre of the ring, showcasing his speed with spiteful combinations that forced Vargas to dip at the knees.
Sensing an early finish, Benn continued to hammer away with hooks from either hand to force the referee's intervention.
After a blistering win, promoter Eddie Hearn admitted that Benn's exciting rise up the rankings could set up a showdown with Khan.
Hearn told Sky Sports: "The issue is that when you beat someone like Vargas, like that, the next fight, it's a top 15 ranked fighter in the world, and that's what Amir Khan is, so why not fight a domestic fight like Amir Khan?
"Conor Benn against Amir Khan is probably one of the easiest fights to sell, I'll ever take part in.
"What an intriguing fight. A young kid coming up, as you can tell, is rather amped and charged against a guy that is really at the end of his career and has a fantastic legacy in the sport.
"Whether Amir Khan will say, 'I want to bow out to a young man coming through the ranks like Conor Benn.'
"That's up to him and money will talk in that respect. For me, I want to get him back out as soon as possible."
