Benn warns big US rival he will 'stick one straight on his chin'

Conor Benn has issued a chilling threat to Ryan Garcia as their potential fight edges closer to being signed.

On the back of his unanimous decision victory over Regis Prograis earlier this month, Benn admits he has all the big American names on his radar after signing a multi-fight deal with Zuffa Boxing.

Reports suggest he is close to securing a shot at WBC welterweight champion Garcia this summer and that is a fight the British star is very excited about.

The pair have engaged in plenty of verbal sparring already and Benn told Inside The Ring that it’s a fight he badly wants.

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“How badly do I want to knock him out? If I see an opportunity, I’m going to take it,” said Benn. “No doubt I’ll be up for that fight, I’m extremely hungry for that fight.

“I’ve been calling for that fight for a while and it really makes me laugh that now he wants to be vocal. He wasn’t vocal after the first Eubank fight [or] the second Eubank fight, [but] he wants to be vocal now, so it says a lot about him and his character.

“I was back in the gym on the Monday after the Regis (Prograis) fight. Ran 10 kilometres first thing Monday morning. Tuesday, I ran 8k, Wednesday 10k, so, for me, when you want to talk about hard work and discipline, that’s what separates me from them.

“That’s what separates me from Ryan (Garcia), so when we fight, it will show.”

Garcia won the famous green and gold belt when outpointing Mario Barrios in February, but it wasn’t a performance that gave Benn any cause for concern.

He added: “I mean he won, he won convincingly. Do I think it was a great performance? No, he done what he needed to do to win the fight and I can respect that. Exactly what I done with Regis - I done what I needed to do.

“But ultimately, was I as up for Regis as he (Garcia) was for Barrios? No, Regis posed no threat to me, in my opinion, even on a bad day. So, having that fear element, that fear factor, having that world title on the line for me, is really what gets me going.

“Whereas with Ryan, I believe it will be a tough fight for as long as it lasts. I’m excited to getting 8oz gloves on and stick one straight on his chin.

“Having the world title on the line for me, it’s different fuel, it’s different ambition, it’s different drive and you will have that adrenaline, that fear factor. You know, that ‘I best not make a mistake here' because [if] you make a mistake, you pay."

Benn takes aim at more American rivals

Benn has also been linked with US stars Shakur Stevenson, Devin Haney and Rolly Romero, and he had plenty to say about those rivals as well.

“Shakur, he just tweets – that’s all he does,” Benn continued.

“First, he said he’d fight me at 154lbs, then he said he would fight me at 147lbs, then it was 147lbs but [with] a rehydration clause, now he’s dropping down to 130lbs. It’s like ‘bro, stop talking. Stop talking’. So, forget him because he just wastes time.

“Whereas you have Devin Haney. A great fighter, [but] his chin is a bit suspect and no doubt I’ll punch [him) with tenacity, [so] that’s a fight that can happen.

“Rolly Romero – that fight was lined up for next. Again, these world title fights – the Rollys, the Garcias – those were supposed to be my next fights, but I chose to have a run out in between.”

Benn staying with Zuffa

Benn’s decision to leave Matchroom Boxing and sign a one-fight deal with Zuffa caused plenty of controversy.

Benn said the initial opportunity was one that he had to take and he expressed his excitement about the partnership being extended.

He confirmed: “It was the opportunity that was presented to me, to be co-main event on another stadium show. It was an opportunity that I couldn’t turn down.

“When you look at what they’re doing for boxing - and the history of UFC, the history of WWE - they’ve got incredible backing behind them and they know what they are doing in combat sports.”

Can Conor Benn win a world title this year?

DAZN News correspondent Chris Oliver

Conor Benn seems pretty bullish about his chances of winning a recognised belt in 2026, but he might not even get the chance to fight for one.

With Zuffa Boxing still saying they are refusing to recognise the traditional belts and Benn tied down to a multi-fight deal with them, his dream of winning a world title could be in doubt.

The stance of his new promoters on this matter would have to change if Benn is to fight for a title and the waters are pretty murky on that front.

Even if he does get the chance, there are plenty of people who feel he wouldn’t beat any of the current champions anyway.

He didn’t set the world alight in his lacklustre points victory over Prograis recently, and Chris Eubank Jr. looked to be a shadow of his former self when Benn won their rematch last November.

So, Benn still has plenty to prove at world level and it remains to be seen how his new promotion will affect his chances to prove his worth at the top table.

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