Conor Benn Targets Ryan Garcia as Big Names Line Up for a Shot
Conor Benn has declared a WBC title fight with Ryan Garcia as his top priority, but he also revealed that numerous high-profile fighters are now eager for a match against him. Benn recently signed a multi-year, multi-fight deal with Zuffa Boxing after his victory over Regis Prograis at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last Saturday. As the mandatory challenger for Garcia, the WBC welterweight champion, Benn feels he is positioned to take on several elite opponents. He stated, "Of course, it is the priority to get that Garcia fight done, but I am not short of options. There are a lot of fighters calling me out, big names calling me out." Benn emphasized his hard work to secure the No. 1 position for the title, expressing his readiness: "If Ryan doesn't want it, there are plenty of fish out there." The 29-year-old, who avenged his only loss against Chris Eubank Jr. last November, noted the sudden interest from other fighters after his recent performance. He commented, "It just goes to show their character because no-one was calling me out after the second Eubank fight. They have seen me down at 150lbs and want to start hyping up and calling me out." Benn acknowledged the challenge of fighting a two-time world champion on short notice at a lower weight class, stating, "Not many people can say they will fight a two-time former world champion as a run-out, win almost every round." Dana White, head of Zuffa Boxing, expressed interest in making the fight happen, saying, "I am about making the biggest fights you can possibly make." Additionally, Zuffa Boxing announced the signing of Chris Billam-Smith, with White looking to recruit more UK talent, emphasizing his commitment to bringing significant fights to the UK market.
Source: Sky Sports - 2026-04-18