Garcia is good for boxing but a liability – Benn

Conor Benn has secured 14 of his 24 victories via knockout. The British boxer, now 29, has publicly acknowledged Ryan Garcia as “beneficial to the sport of boxing,” yet labeled the American as a “liability.” Garcia claimed his first major title in February, following two prior unsuccessful title shots and a one-year doping suspension. At 27, the welterweight champion has been a consistent focus for Benn, though the latter’s attention was diverted by his ongoing rivalry with Chris Eubank Jr. in 2025.

Benn, who previously served a doping ban, competed at a higher weight class against Eubank, emerging victorious in the second encounter. However, he has since shifted his focus back to his traditional division. The boxer revealed that Garcia was initially set as his next challenge, but he opted for a fight against Regis Prograis on 11 April to avoid a period of inactivity. “Garcia was next, that was scheduled in,” Benn remarked. “I am mandatory number one for him.”

“Now if you’re me, do you wait out until September or do you take a potential banana skin in the middle? I like rolling the dice and having a little bit of fun and keeping active.”

Transition to Zuffa Boxing

Benn’s upcoming bout marks his debut under Zuffa Boxing, following a one-fight agreement with the organization in February. This partnership, backed by UFC president Dana White and Saudi Arabian investment, aims to challenge the dominance of the WBO, WBC, IBF, and WBA. White’s goal is to establish Zuffa’s title as a major world championship, rivaling the Ring Magazine title controlled by Saudi boxing magnate Turki Alalshikh.

Future Opportunities

Should Benn triumph over Prograis, he would have multiple options to pursue. Rolando Romero holds the WBA title, Lewis Crocker possesses the IBF belt, and Devin Haney is the current WBO champion. Despite these alternatives, Garcia remains Benn’s top priority. “You don’t know who’s turning up—you don’t know if Garcia’s turning up,” the Brit noted. “You don’t know if he’s going to make the fight or not, have some sort of episode.”

“You just don’t know. People don’t want to be themselves in the sport of boxing, so I love it when I see a young man under fire for being who he is. At least you’re true to yourself and who you are. Whether I like you or not—I don’t him—but some people do, just be who you are.”

Boxing Schedule and Results 2026

Benn’s fight on Saturday is the first under his new Zuffa deal. The boxer’s path forward beyond this agreement remains uncertain, though his ambition to claim a world title, mirroring his father Nigel’s achievements in the 1990s, is unwavering. The event also highlights BBC Sport’s coverage, including updates on the boxing calendar and features like “Born to Brawl.” Subscribers can stay informed via notifications and social media channels.