Family affair when the Benns come to Walsall
It will be a family affair in the Black Country when boxing legend Nigel Benn and son Conor take centre stage next month.
The two will be the feature attractions of 'An Evening With' staged by Just Judge Events at the WS10 Conference & Banqueting Suite in Wednesbury,
The event will take place on Saturday June 11, the same night England play Russia in the European Championships. The game will be shown live on big screens around the venue.
But boxing is the name of the game for the Benns, Nigel establishing the family name with Conor following him into paid pugilism by turning pro this year.
Nigel is making the trip over for a tour of the United Kingdom from his home in Sydney, Australia, to where he emigrated after hanging up his gloves in 1996.
The former Commonwealth and two-weight titlist is regarded as one of the best WBC super middleweight champions ever.
'The Dark Destroyer' won the crown and made nine defences and, along with Joe Calzaghe, has his image permanently enshrined onto the belt.
Now aged 52, the Londoner had some legendary wars with Chris Eubank, Michael Watson, Gerald McClellan and Steve Collins in his 1990s heyday.
He called time on his career after retiring on his stool, going six rounds of a rematch with Collins for WBO honours. He'd boxed 48 times as a pro, winning 42 with 35 TKOs. He lost five, with one draw.
Fight fans are now excited by the prospect that Conor – middle name Nigel – could be a chip off the old block. The 19-year-old has turned over at light middle.
The teenager, signed to Eddie Hearn's Matchroom stable, blew away Ivalio Boyanov in the first round and will box twice more by the end of June.
Bloxwich's Daniel Breeze, the popular and reigning British Classic middleweight champion, will be among the guests on the night.
Tickets are on sale now, starting at £30 for a 'bronze' pass. The 'silver' option is £50 and includes food and waiter service.
The 'gold' choice is £65 and includes all of the above, plus queue jump and a picture with Nigel Benn. To buy, go to www.eventbrite.co.uk. For more information, e-mail justjudgeevents@outlook.com.
