Amir Khan insists Conor Benn is in for a tough night when he faces Samuel Vargas, but believes his compatriot is capable of becoming a world champion in the future.
Benn tackles experienced operator and former Khan opponent, Vargas in what is perceived as another step-up for the undefeated 24-year-old at the Copper Box Arena on Saturday.
Khan was floored by a huge right hand off the Canadian-born Colombian, but dropped his foe twice on route to a unanimous decision win in Birmingham in 2018.
And the 34-year-old has warned ‘The Destroyer’ of the threat Vargas poses, who was stopped in his last fight against Vergil Ortiz Jr last July.
“He can get in there and have a little tear up,” Khan told Sky Sports.
“He can throw a good shot as well. He’s got decent power. I think it’s a massive step-up for Conor Benn. I think Conor will have his hands full in that fight.
“Since obviously after he fought me, he has been in one or two difficult fights, Samuel Vargas, and he’s been beat after I beat him. But I still think he’s a dangerous operator.
“You have to stay focused throughout the whole fight, because this is boxing, one punch can change a fight. Samuel has that power, has decent skills, which can cause any fighter problems.”
Former unified Super Lightweight world champion, Khan has been targeted by Benn as a potential future opponent, although ‘King’ revealed he held fresh talks with promoter Eddie Hearn over an overdue battle with Kell Brook.
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The Bolton man, who unsuccessfully challenged WBO Welterweight holder, Terence Crawford in April 2019 and has been out of the ring since a fourth round stoppage of Billy Dib in July 2019, believes Benn has all the attributes to emulate his father, Nigel’s feats by becoming world champion in the coming years.
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“He’s a great fighter,” Khan added.
“I’ve seen him fight a few times. If he sticks to his game, he can be a world champion just like his father.
“His father was a great champion, and to have him as a mentor is a big thing as well. I think he will go far.
“As long as you believe in yourself, you work hard, you train hard. You always wake up every morning, knowing that one day, where your end goal is. Chase your dreams, chase your goals.”
