Conor Nigel Benn, born on September 28, 1996, in Greenwich, London, England, is a British professional boxer who has made a name for himself in the welterweight division.
Known as The Destroyer, Conor has carved out an impressive career in the ring, boasting an undefeated record of 23 wins, with 15 of those victories coming by knockout as of March 2025.
The son of a boxing legend, Conor has followed in his father’s footsteps, bringing both skill and a fiery passion to the sport.
Beyond his athletic prowess, Conor’s journey is shaped by a privileged yet grounded upbringing, influenced heavily by his parents.
Parents
Conor’s parents are Nigel Benn and Caroline Jackson.
Nigel, born on January 22, 1964, in Ilford, Essex, England, is a former professional boxer whose career left an indelible mark on the sport.
He was a two-division world champion, capturing the WBO middleweight title in 1990 and the WBC super-middleweight title from 1992 to 1996.
With a record of 42 wins, 5 losses, and 1 draw—35 of those wins by knockout—Nigel was celebrated for his explosive power and aggressive fighting style.
Originally of Barbadian descent, Nigel holds British nationality and became a household name in the UK during his 1987-1996 career.
After retiring in 1996, Nigel briefly returned to the ring in 2019 at age 55, though the comeback was short-lived due to injury.
Beyond boxing, he underwent a profound personal transformation, becoming an evangelical Christian and moving his family to Mallorca, Spain, and later Sydney, Australia.
Married to Caroline Jackson since 1997, Nigel has been a significant influence on Conor, training alongside him and instilling a sense of discipline—though he famously never gave Conor money, encouraging self-reliance through jobs like painting and decorating in Spain for €20 a day.
Caroline is an Australian national who has been a stabilizing force in the Benn family.
Born and raised in Australia, Caroline married Nigel in 1997, and together they raised their children in a life far removed from Nigel’s tumultuous boxing past.
Career
Benn’s professional boxing career began in April 2016, when, at the age of 19, he debuted at the O2 Arena in London, defeating Bulgarian Ivailo Boyanov via a first-round technical knockout.
Trained by Tony Sims—with his father Nigel often by his side—Conor quickly established himself as a force in the welterweight division.
In 2018, he won the WBA Continental welterweight title against Cedrick Peynaud, a belt he defended multiple times against notable opponents like Jussi Koivula, Sebastian Formella, and Chris Algieri.
His career, however, faced a significant hurdle in October 2022 when he tested positive for clomifene ahead of a highly anticipated bout with Chris Eubank Jr.
The fight was postponed, and Conor voluntarily relinquished his British boxing license.
After a 525-day hiatus, he returned in September 2023 in Orlando, Florida, defeating Rodolfo Orozco by unanimous decision.
In July 2023, the National Anti-Doping Panel lifted his suspension, though appeals from the British Boxing Board of Control and UK Anti-Doping remain pending as of March 2025.
Despite this, Conor continued his resurgence, beating Peter Dobson in February 2024 in Las Vegas, maintaining his perfect record.
Ranked among the top welterweights globally—8th by ESPN, 9th by The Ring Magazine, and 10th by BoxRec and the Transnational Boxing Rankings Board—Conor’s career reflects both his inherited talent and personal grit.
His upcoming fight against Chris Eubank Jr., scheduled for April 26 in London, promises to be a defining moment, pitting the sons of two legendary rivals against each other.
