Benn wants 'mega fight' with Haney in UK

Britain's Conor Benn wants to be involved in a "mega fight" in the UK in April or May and has welcomed a bout against two-weight world champion Devin Haney.

Benn, who was given a provisional doping suspension in 2022, does not hold a boxing licence in the UK.

The 27-year-old faces American Peter Dobson in Las Vegas on Saturday.

"Any welterweight is not a concern for me. Any top American fighter - anyone - no problem," Benn said.

Benn failed two Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (Vada) tests before his cancelled bout with Chris Eubank Jr in October 2022.

He tested positive for female fertility drug clomifene but has always denied intentionally taking it.

In March 2023 UK Anti-Doping (Ukad) provisionally suspended Benn, but the National Anti-Doping Panel (NADP) lifted the suspension in July after a hearing.

Ukad and the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC) have appealed against that decision, with Benn's promoter, Eddie Hearn, saying he expects the appeal to take place in February.

"It's true when they say that when you go through adversity, it gives you nothing but resilience and strength," Benn said.

"Would I choose to go through it again? Probably not. Has it taught me a lot about who Conor Benn is as a man? It's tested me, my character, what I stand for, what I believe in."

Benn's most recent fight in the UK was in April 2022. In September he returned to the ring, fighting under a US licence when he defeated Rodolfo Orozco in Florida.

Top-10 pound-for-pound star Haney is the WBC light-welterweight world champion. The American is undefeated in 31 pro bouts.

"If he wants to come to England and up to 147lb, no problem," Benn said.

"Think it's going to be an easy touch? Come over. It's not a problem to me. Let's fight. We could have it in America, in England, in a phone box, anywhere."

Benn also called for a fight with highly-rated Americans Jaron 'Boots' Ennis and Vergil Ortiz Jr. Britons Eubank Jr and Kell Brook have also been mentioned as opponents.

"You will see progress, even with what's gone on. You'll see what I've learned and that I've been in the gym and stayed disciplined, where many would have fallen off," Benn said.

"After this fight, we're aiming to get back out in the UK in a mega-fight that the British public deserve."