Conor Benn Reveals Childhood Trauma of Being Called the Anti-Christ Ahead of Chris Eubank Jr Fight

Conor Benn has opened up about traumatic moments from his childhood, revealing the challenges he faced at a religious school in Mallorca. These experiences profoundly affected his relationship with his father and his mental health. The boxer shared these insights ahead of his upcoming fight against Chris Eubank Jr. at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Childhood Trauma and Religious Influences

When Benn was twelve, his family moved to Mallorca after his father’s boxing success. During this time, he attended a private fundamentalist Christian school. The staff of the institution believed Benn exhibited signs of demonic possession due to his energetic behavior.

Impact on Family Relationships

Benn described the school’s beliefs as distressing. He noted how the environment made him feel misunderstood and isolated. “How could anyone think that there’s anything wrong with you because you may be a little bit energetic?” he reflected. The pressure from religious authorities made it difficult for him to express his struggles to his parents.

This situation noticeably impacted his relationship with his father, Nigel Benn, a former two-weight world champion who had turned to evangelical Christianity after battling personal issues following his boxing career. Nigel’s religious convictions further distanced him from Conor during his formative years.

Healing Through Counseling

Years later, Benn faced additional challenges when living in Australia at eighteen and sought his father’s help. This marked the beginning of a path to reconciliation. Over time, both worked to mend their fractured relationship, culminating in emotional discussions filled with tears.

• Conor Benn considers his father a hero today.
• He pursued professional counseling to address his past trauma.
• Their relationship improved significantly following Conor’s wedding eight years ago.

Acknowledging Growth and Faith

Despite the struggles of his youth, Benn remains committed to his faith, engaging in daily prayer. He refuses to let his past experiences overshadow his beliefs. “I’m not letting them take away from what I believe,” he affirmed.

As the boxing world anticipates the match with Chris Eubank Jr., Benn carries not only the weight of competition but also the lessons learned from his painful childhood experiences.