Former world champion tells Conor Benn to "get out of boxing"

Anthony Crolla advises Conor Benn to quit

Former World Champ Anthony Crolla has warned Nigel Benn he needs to tell his son Conor to retire from boxing, after his brutal two-round demolition against Ryan Garcia on September 12 in Las Vegas.

The 39-year-old former WBA lightweight champion explained, “The money he has made – for the fights he has had – Conor has had boxing off.

“If he was my son I would be telling him to get out of boxing.”

Benn's shock move from Matchroom to Zuffa was reportedly worth £15 million for a one-fight deal against an ageing, injured Regis Prograis in April. Eddie Hearn had promoted Benn since his 2016 pro debut, but Conor chose the lucrative move to set his family up for life.

Also an English and British champion, Crolla continued, “Does anyone want to see Benn v Eubank 3? As a boxing fan I don’t. The second fight didn’t have the same feel as the first.

“I am not saying this to dig out Conor Benn – because I know a lot of people are doing it – but his best win was against Eubank when he was shot to bits and weak at the weight.”

Benn landed his world title shot under controversial circumstances, having never won a British, Commonwealth or European title in his career and hadn't fought at welterweight in over four years.

Manchester's Crolla claims he knew exactly how the mismatch would turn out.

“It went exactly how I thought, I was very confident it went inside three rounds.

“It was very comfortable for Garcia, the shot was big and he looked devastating.

“It comes to levels and Ryan Garcia is a far higher level than Conor Benn has ever boxed at.”