Eddie Hearn believes that a win over Chris van Heerden will tee up Conor Benn for a title fight.
Benn had impressed with three wins over the course of 2021 that left him on the verge of becoming a credible title challenger for 2022. It appears that Matchroom head Benn believes the same and hopes a world championship challenge can be made in due course.
Last year the 25-year-old impressed in wins over Samuel Vargas, Adrian Granados and then former world champion Chris Algieri.
Live on DAZN this Saturday, Benn fights South African southpaw Van Heerden, and Hearn reflected on his fighter’s ascent.
“The growth of Conor Benn is astonishing,” Hearn told the Daily Mail. “I don't say that disrespectfully, but when I first watched him… to think he's on the verge of a welterweight world title is incredible.
“It's all down to his mindset, his work ethic, the work Tony Simms has done – and obviously the genes as well, they help
“But this is his final test before he goes into the real deep end.”
The 34-year-old Van Heerden might be a less glamorous name than Kell Brook - however difficult that fight would be to make - but with Yordenis Ugas or Errol Spence Jr. on course for an undisputed clash later this year, it might see the belts vacated for other fighters to contest. Jaron Ennis, Vergil Ortiz and David Avanesyan would all consider themselves in the mix to contest any straps.
“Van Heerden is a very tough, very game, technically sound fighter, who will be there as long as he can be there,” Hearn continued. “It will be a tremendous fight.
“You need southpaw experience when you talk the likes of Jaron Ennis, Errol Spence – all these great fighters. You can't just jump into your first-ever southpaw being Errol Spence or these kinds of guys.
“Van Heerden, his last fight was against Jaron Ennis, on Showtime, in Ennis' 26th fight. And for me, Jaron Ennis may be the best welterweight in the world.
“Now people are saying this is an easy fight for Conor Benn. I'm like, wow, now you rate him. A year ago people were saying he's overhyped but now people genuinely rate him.
“This will be his last little test before he jumps in with a Kell Brook, a Mikey Garcia, Danny Garcia, an Adrien Broner, a Keith Thurman – one of those elite names.”