Conor Benn in talks to fight Adrien Broner after controversial boxer has warm-up bout in bid to finish career on a high

CONOR BENN has to wait for Adrien Broner to have a warm-up fight to secure their clash - as The Problem is finally taking boxing seriously again.

The 32-year-old American’s once-brilliant boxing career has been plagued by legal and personal problems away from the ring.

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But the four-weight world champion - and protege of Floyd Mayweather - remains a major name in the sport whose scalp Benn would like on his record.

Immediately after 25-year-old Benn obliterated Chris Algeiri with a KO-of-the-year contender in December, the son of Brit legend Nigel called for Broner.

But promoter Eddie Hearn has revealed the flashy ace - who has lost two of his last four bouts - wants a tune-up before he dares face The Destroyer.

The Matchroom boss said: “I have spoken to Broner and ideally he wants a fight before he fights Conor because he is on this crusade of seriousness, can you believe?

“He wants to have one last run at it and that means being prepared for the Conor fight.

“He stressed he is ready to fight Conor Benn but that he would like a warm-up fight in March if possible.”

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Benn has shown incredible improvement in the last couple of years under Essex trainer Tony Simms.

The 20-0 welterweight’s growing record now includes names like Sebastian Formella, Adrian Granados and Samuel Vargas.

And if Broner does not hurry up and accept the fight with the super-determined slugger, Benn has his crosshairs on two other respected ex-world champs.

Hearn revealed: “The other two names we like are Robert Guerrero and Maurice Hooker.

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"We expect Conor Benn to fight at the O2 in April against one of those three names.”

Southpaw veteran Guerrero, 38, is a two-weight world champ who has taken Floyd Mayweather, Keith Thurman and Danny Garcia the distance.

Mighty Mo Hooker, 32, beat Manchester’s Terry Flanagan for the WBO super-lightweight title in 2018 but moved up to 147lbs after losing the title 2019.