Photos: Conor Benn Ends Layoff, Decisions a Tough Rodolfo Orozco

Caribe Royale Orlando, Orlando - In a junior middleweight contest, Conor Benn (22-0, 14 KOs) snapped an 18-month layoff with a tough ten round unanimous decision over Rodolfo Orozco (32-3-2, 24 KOs). (photos by Ed Mulholland)

The scores were 99-91, 99-91 and 96-94.

Benn has been inactive since April of 2022. He was scheduled to return to the ring last October, against Chris Eubank Jr, but the fight was called off after Benn tested positive for a banned substance. 

Back home, Benn is still embroiled in a legal battle with the British Boxing Board of Control and UK Anti-Doping - with respect to his drug testing scandal.

The fight started fast in the first, with Benn connecting quickly with a hard right hand. Benn was outlanding Orozco, who was able to take the punches well. In the second, Orozco was bleeding on the left side of his face from a possible clash of heads. He was stalking Benn and pushing him back at times. Benn was connecting with heavy punches that Orozco was able to take. 

In the third, Benn staggered Orozco with a right hand and then went after him with punches from both hands. Orozco was able to weather the storm. Orozco pressed Benn against the ropes and began to trade in a toe to toe manner. 

Orozco came out pressing the fourth, coming forward and forcing Benn to fight. Orozco was eating punches but continued to come forward. Some heavy blows connected for Benn at the start of the fifth, with Orozco coming forward and throwing. In the sixth, Benn was using angles and boxing as he realized that his punches were not taking Orozco out.

The seventh saw Benn connecting with solid punches for most of the round. Orozco rallied with punches in the closing seconds. During the eight and ninth, Orozco was able to withstand some heavy punches to the head and body. In the tenth, Benn was outlanding a game Orozco, who kept coming for the whole round.