Conor Benn Warns Ryan Garcia: “He’s Good for Boxing… But a Liability”
Conor Benn didn’t hold back when talking about Ryan Garcia.
In fact, he said what many fighters won’t say out loud. Garcia is great for boxing. But he’s also a risk.
The 29-year-old British fighter made it clear during a recent interview that while he respects Garcia’s impact on the sport, he doesn’t fully trust him as an opponent.
And that says a lot. Conor Benn has been eyeing a fight with Ryan Garcia for some time. The matchup was even expected to happen next.
But things didn’t go as planned. Instead of waiting months for Garcia, Benn chose to stay active. He will now face Regis Prograis on April 11.
And his reason is simple. He doesn’t want to sit around. “Do I wait until September or take a risk now?” Benn explained. “I like rolling the dice.”
That mindset says everything about where he is in his career right now. Benn is coming off a huge year after his intense rivalry with Chris Eubank Jr..
He stepped up two weight classes to face him and managed to win their rematch. Now, he’s returning to his natural division.
And his focus is clear. World titles. But Garcia is still on his mind.
Even after winning the WBC welterweight title earlier this year, Garcia remains one of the most unpredictable stars in boxing.
His comeback followed a one-year suspension related to a doping case, which only added more attention to his name.
That unpredictability is exactly what concerns Benn. “You don’t know who’s going to show up,” he said. “You don’t know if he’ll make the fight or not.”
It’s not just about skill. It’s about reliability.
Still, Benn admits Garcia brings something special to the sport. His personality, energy, and fan appeal make him one of the biggest attractions in boxing today.
And that matters. “People don’t want to be themselves in boxing,” Benn added. “At least he is.”
Even if he doesn’t like him. Behind all this, there’s also a bigger shift happening in boxing.
Benn’s upcoming fight will be his first since leaving Matchroom. He recently signed a deal with Zuffa Boxing, a new powerhouse backed by Dana White and Saudi investors.
The goal? To change boxing completely. Zuffa Boxing wants to challenge the traditional system run by organizations like the WBC, WBA, IBF, and WBO. They aim to create a new path where their own title becomes the biggest prize in the sport.
It’s a bold move. And Benn is now part of it. But for him, the mission stays the same. Win a world title, just like his father Nigel Benn did years ago.
If he beats Prograis, several big opportunities could open up. Champions like Rolando Romero, Lewis Crocker, and Devin Haney are all possible future targets.
But one name still stands above the rest. Ryan Garcia. Love him or hate him, Benn knows a fight with Garcia would be massive. The only question is… Can it actually happen?
