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Conor Benn vs Adrian Granados: Can another Mexican deliver an upset in the UK?

The Destroyer has Amir Khan and Shawn Porter on his radar, but first he must get past Granados at Fight Camp…

Conor Benn hopes to continue his welterweight world title charge when he faces Adrian Granados on July 31.

Benn goes into this having secured the biggest win of his five-year career against Samuel Vargas in April 2021 at the Copper Box Arena.

The Colombian - who knocked down Amir Khan in 2018 - was expected to provide a stern test for the British prospect.

This was not the case though as Benn blasted out his opponent in just 82 seconds. The 24-year-old came out firing as he hurt and stopped Vargas much earlier than many predicted.

A fired-up Benn called out Khan during his post-fight interview, though that fight looks unlikely. Khan, the former unified light-welterweight world champion believes that Benn can become a world champion "just like his father".

Eddie Hearn's most recent PR stunt for Matchroom's Fight Camp schedule is his best stunt yet.

Big fights will be in the pipeline for Benn if he can come through his Mexican opponent.

"Tigre" took Adrien Broner and Shawn Porter the distance in points defeats in 2017 and fought former two-division world champion Danny Garcia in 2019 which ended in a KO loss.

Granados has fought twice already in 2021. He beat Arturo Herrera via TKO in the second round in February and then in May, his eight-round contest against Jose Luis Sanchez ended in a majority-decision draw.

Granados, 31, is a heavy underdog heading into this fight. Planet Sport Bet has Benn as a 1/16 favourite to come out victorious, while Granados is priced at 7/1. If you're feeling funky, you could bet on a draw at 28/1.
The odds were correct at the time of this publication.

The stats that matter…

Granados is seven years Benn's senior and has far more professional rounds on his resume with 194 compared to Benn's 68.
The American has had 14 more professional bouts than Benn, but this comes with mixed results. From his 32 fights, there have been eight defeats and three draws.
Granados' record suggests he does carry punching power, as 15 of his 21 wins have come via TKO/KO (71%). This is slightly better than the Brit, who has 12 wins via TKO/KO from his 18 bouts so far (67%).
Eight of Benn's first ten professional fights were won via stoppage. But four of his last eight bouts were decided on points.

After his comprehensive dismantling of Vargas in April, Benn will be looking for a knockout once again against Granados. His record is 18-0.

Out of Granados' eight losses, only one ended via TKO/KO and that was against former two-weight world champion Garcia. "Tigre" was knocked down twice in round two and once in round five before the referee stopped the contest in the seventh.

What would victory mean for Benn?

It is no surprise that Benn is a clear favourite to win this fight. He is one of the fastest improving fighters in British boxing at the moment.

His performance against Vargas put the welterweight division on notice. While Granados' recent record is questionable, he should not be written off.

He has been in with some of the best welterweights in the world and his experience could cause Benn problems. Benn is hot property right now but expect this fight to last much longer than the 82 seconds between the Englishman and Vargas.

Conor Benn (left) during his WBA Continental Welterweight title bout with Steve Jamoye (right) at the O2 Arena, London

Benn rightly aspires beyond his WBA Continental title. In recent months he has called out the likes of Khan and Porter as he readies himself for a world title shot, which going off his current trajectory, is inevitable in the next 18 months.
Aged 24, there is no reason for Benn to rush, and a tasty grudge match against Florian Marku next could keep things ticking along nicely…

But as we have experienced before, Mexican fighters love to ruin the script for Matchroom fighters.

READ MORE: Great Britain vs Mexico - A tale of two nations looking for boxing supremacy

When and where?

Benn will face Granados in the headline slot of Fight Camp Week One at Matchroom HQ on Saturday, July 31.

What's on the line?

The Destroyer will be making the fifth defence of his WBA Continental welterweight title.

Where can I watch it?

It will be streamed live on DAZN in the UK. This is the first UK Matchroom Boxing event to be shown exclusively on DAZN since Eddie Hearn parted ways with Sky Sports. Benn and Granados will enter the ring at around 10pm GMT.

The undercard

- Tommy McCarthy vs Chris Billam-Smith

- Avni Yildirim vs Jack Cullen
- Anthony Fowler vs Roberto Garcia
- Shannon Courtenay vs TBA
- Campbell Hatton vs TBA
- Sandy Ryan vs TBA

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