Perhaps there is innocence still trapped, like the haunting outline of a desperate face beneath the ice searching for escape, in the Englishman’s story? Maybe, Conor Benn believes everything he says with sufficient vigour that to him, and those closest, it is a truth forced into existence. A Frankenstein world in which everything continues, careers unfold and dissenters are despised whatever the truth of the transgressions they spotlight.

Benn’s opponent on Saturday night, the American dandy Ryan Garcia, is a brother in arms in this particular psychological endeavour, both have toiled to different extents against the available evidence and the reputational damage accrued by cheating. Although, does that damage really accrue any more? Boxing’s institutions are easily manipulated and share a willingness to forgive, if the dollars are sufficiently stacked. Punters have grown increasingly apathetic too, such is the epidemic of failed tests.

Garcia’s own battle has thus far not been as emotionally depleting, if the parade of interviews Benn has done in recent years are to be believed, but the handsome champion has also wrestled with the dedication required to fulfil on his luxurious talent and clearly uttered a fib or two on his readiness for battle as a result.

Continue reading “Ryan Garcia and Conor Benn. Flawed villains in boxing’s pantomime” →