Bill Haney gatecrashes Conor Benn press conference as Devin Haney fight emerges as possibility
Matchroom BoxingDevin Haney’s father and trainer, Bill Haney, gatecrashed Conor Benn’s post-fight press conference on Saturday, fuelling talk a fight between the pair could be in the offing.
Benn maintained his undefeated record with a unanimous decision win over American welterweight Peter Dobson at Las Vegas’ Cosmopolitan Hotel.
It was his second consecutive fight in the United States as he still does not have a license to fight in his native United Kingdom.
The 27-year-old is awaiting the results from the British Boxing Board of Control’s appeal of the lifting of his provisional doping suspension by the National Anti-Doping Panel.
Benn insists he is innocent of intentionally doping after testing positive for female fertility drug clomifene in 2022 and the appeal could be heard this month.
But while he continues to fight stateside, one of the biggest fighters in the sport could well be gearing up for a fight with ‘The Destroyer’ in the near future.
Haney, 25, is already a former undisputed lightweight world champion and current WBC super-lightweight world champion.
A step up to welterweight in the future is inevitable and a fight with Benn could be huge, both in the UK and the US.
And those flames were fanned last night when Bill Haney gatecrashed Benn’s post-fight press conference and had a respectful exchange with Benn, before discussing a future fight.
“I heard somebody’s looking for us,” Haney began.
“Congratulations Conor. It probably wasn’t the performance you would’ve liked, but we know you’re a real player in the game so I wanted to come over here and tell you congratulations.”
“I respect you and your family. You guys [Nigel Benn and Conor] are a legend, and, of course, it would be an honor and a pleasure at that time if it presents it. Thank you guys for inviting me.”
Devin Haney fight emerges as possibility
Benn was respectful back to Haney Sr but the respect between himself and Haney Jr clearly isn’t the same.
Devin Haney stoked the flames as he took to X during Benn’s fight to tweet: “Left that s**t in the needle,” in response to a fan asking where Benn’s power had gone, and referring to Benn’s ongoing drug test dispute.
And when it was brought up in his press conference, Benn wasted little time in firing back.
“What is he talking about, power? He has never had power. My DNA is strong. I am fresh out of my dad. He is just jealous because he has never had none.”
“If he wants to come find out about the power, I am more than happy to show him. He can get it next, he has been very vocal.
“His dad showed a lot of respect. Bill Haney has a lot of class, but he needs to teach his kid some manners. I will deal with him no problem.”
