Conor Benn makes a low-key return to boxing tonight as he fights Rodolfo Orozco in Florida.
It is now 17 months since Benn was last in the ring, much of that time spent battling to clear his name after he failed two drug tests in the build-up to his planned bout with Chris Eubank Jr last year.
That battle is still ongoing - Benn is currently without a boxing license to fight in the UK. While a UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) suspension was lifted earlier this summer by the independent National Anti-Doping Panel, that decision has since been appealed by UKAD and the British Boxing Board of Control.
Despite that process continuing, Benn will return to the ring on Saturday night, in a bout that was announced with just a few days’ notice. The 26-year-old faces Mexican fighter Orozco (32-3-3) in a 154lbs contest, with attention likely to then turn to Eubank again should he secure victory as expected.
“I am undefeated in the ring, and in spirit,” Benn said. “A return on Saturday is a step closer to redemption.
“After that, I’m putting the 147-160 divisions on notice. You are looking at a determined man with a deep desire to beat them all.”
Benn vs Orozco date, start time, venue and ring walks
The bout is scheduled to take place tonight, September 23, 2023 at the Caribe Royale Hotel in Orlando, Florida.
The card is expected to get underway at 1am BST in the early hours of Sunday morning for UK fight fans, with main event ring walks pencilled in for 2:43am BST. Benn’s fight is set to take place ahead of the main event.
Benn vs Orozco fight card/undercard in full
It has not yet been confirmed where Benn vs Orozco will fit in on the bill, though we’re assuming it will be somewhere near the top.
Elsewhere on the card, Jessica McCaskill takes on Sandy Ryan in a welterweight unification bout, while the main event sees super-lightweight action between Richardson Hitchins and Jose Zepeda.
Richardson Hitchins vs Jose Zepeda
Austin Williams vs Steve Rolls
Jessica McCaskill vs Sandy Ryan
Orestes Velazquez vs Mohamed Soumaoro
Khalil Coe vs Kenmon Evans
Jeovanny Estella vs Luis Caraballo
Jasmine Artega vs Haley Pasion
Roberto Rivera Gomez vs Carlos Andre Dos Santos Rocha
How to watch Benn vs Orozco
TV channel: Benn vs Orozco is being broadcast live and exclusively on DAZN. A subscription to the platform currently costs from £9.99 per month in the UK.
The sports streaming service has DAZN 1 HD in the UK and Ireland on channel 429 on Sky.
Live stream: The DAZN app and website will offer a live stream service online across mobile devices, laptops, games consoles and more.
Benn vs Orozco fight prediction
There is plenty that is uncertain about Benn’s situation, both in and out of the ring, but it is fairly obvious that he will be keen to make a statement on Saturday night.
He has cut a frustrated figure in the interviews he has given during the ongoing saga following his failed drug tests, and Orozco is the man he will be looking to take it out on.
There should be no danger of complacency from Benn - against a fighter that on paper he should be comfortably beating -after so long out of the ring, though a slightly rusty start is almost inevitable.
The unbeaten fighter is never scared to let his hands go and looks likely to seal a stoppage victory in relatively quick time.
Benn to win by stoppage, round three
Benn vs Orozco weigh-in results
Orozco tipped the scales at 154.4lbs on Friday, with Benn coming in at 153.6lbs.
Benn vs Orozco betting odds
Benn to win: 1/33
Orozco to win: 12/1
Draw: 33/1
Benn to win by KO or TKO: 1/4
Benn to win by points or decision: 7/2
Orozco to win by KO or TKO: 18/1
Orozco to win by points or decision: 35/1
