Conor Benn is “not ready” for Shakur Stevenson, according to former world champion, Carl Froch.
Benn clashed with Stevenson after the American called him out following his masterful win over Teofimo Lopez in New York on Saturday to become the WBO super lightweight world champion.
The pair traded words back-and-forth in the ring, with Benn claiming he was too big and powerful for the four-weight world champion.
Former super middleweight titlist, Froch believes ‘The Destroyer’ would come unstuck against Stevenson.
“He’s not ready for that yet,” the 48-year-old said on his YouTube channel Froch On Fighting.
“It’s no criticism.
“Stevenson called him into the ring, he got in and they were exchanging verbal abuse.
“Stevenson’s probably thinking, Conor Benn’s a big fighter in England, he brings a crowd, so it’ll bring the money.
“So he’ll think, ‘I fancy that, it’s a steady fight.’
“Conor Benn thinks he’s too big for him, but sometimes size doesn’t matter.
“For this one, I think Shakur Stevenson will be far too talented for Conor Benn.”
Benn has campaigned at middleweight in his last two fights against Chris Eubank Jr, but is looking to return to welterweight to face either WBA champion, Rolly Romero or the winner of the February 21 clash between Mario Barrios and Ryan Garcia.
Froch believes a bout against the victor of Barrios vs Garcia is far more winnable than a meeting with Stevenson, but still insists the 28-year-old needs more time to hone his craft.
“Conor needs a couple of steady fights around world level before he challenges for a world title,” he added.
“I like him in against someone like Ryan Garcia in a couple of fights or maybe Barrios.
“I think they’re winnable fights potentially.
“But the Shakur Stevenson one, I just think there’s levels in the game and Conor is not there yet.”
