Conor Benn says a WBC title fight with Ryan Garcia remains his top priority, but he warned that other big names are now lining up to face him. Benn has just signed a multi-year, multi-fight deal with Zuffa Boxing after making his promotional debut by beating Regis Prograis on the Tyson Fury card at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Benn is the mandatory challenger for Garcia’s WBC welterweight crown, yet the British fighter believes he has multiple high-profile options available. He says getting the Garcia fight done is his aim, but he is not short of alternatives as several notable fighters are calling him out.
He pointed out that he has earned the No 1 position for that title and worked hard to get there, and warned that if Garcia does not want the fight then there are plenty of opponents willing to step in. Benn also reflected on how reactions to his win over Prograis have changed the conversation around him.
After avenging his only defeat with a rematch win over Chris Eubank Jr at middleweight last November, Benn admitted he was amused that many fighters began publicly seeking him out only after the Prograis contest. He noted that few were calling him out following the Eubank rematch, and that the renewed attention followed his move back down to around 150 pounds.
Benn stressed that the Prograis fight was his first at roughly 150 pounds in four years, and that it came on just six weeks notice. He highlighted the achievement of taking on a two-time former world champion in what was effectively a tune-up, doing the work, and dropping to about 149 pounds. Benn says he plans to stay disciplined and ready, able to fight again in six or seven weeks if needed, and added that if Garcia wants the matchup he can have it quickly.
Zuffa Boxing CEO Dana White says he is open to making a compelling fight between Benn and Garcia and that the company asks its signees about their ambitions to help create the biggest possible matchups. White also confirmed Zuffa is actively recruiting UK talent after signing fighters including former WBO cruiserweight champion Chris Billam-Smith. He said the recent deal with Sky will bring major fights to the UK, and that the promotion is looking for both established names and promising young fighters with world title potential.