In recent comments, Garcia said that Benn is the fight he wants. At the same time, he openly announced the emergency plan.

“If Conor doesn’t want it, we’ll go back to it with Rolly,” Ryan Garcia told Ring Magazine, referring to Rolando Romero.

That alone was revealing. Players who believe that an agreement is imminent tend to limit their message. When alternative opponents are publicly mentioned, it often means that there are still obstacles related to money, timing, broadcasters or promotional control.

Then another wrinkle appeared when Óscar De La Hoya publicly supported a completely different fight.

“I’m most interested in a rematch with Devin Haney,” De La Hoya said, adding that it could be massive enough to accommodate Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.

Now Garcia’s public trail includes three separate names: Benn, Romero and Devin Haney. Rarely does a finalized fight sound like this.

Benn’s matchup still makes sense on paper. Benn has become one of the more recognizable names in the UK and has now added to his profile after signing with Zuffa Boxing. Garcia remains one of boxing’s biggest social media attractions and continues to attract attention regardless of the results.

Put these names together and you have clear commercial value.

But picking a fight and liking the fight are two different things. Garcia has ties to the Golden Boy. Benn’s modern setting creates fresh business layers. Place also matters. An event in the US, an event in the UK, or support from Saudi Arabia would change the economy.

This helps explain why backup options are already provided.

A rematch with Haney also remains valuable as unfinished business continues to sell. Their first meeting generated headlines, controversy and debate. Whether fans loved the event or not, they remember it. In state-of-the-art boxing, remembered fights are often easier to sell than fresh ones.

Meanwhile, Romero proposes the simplest, practical way. It is known, accessible and connected to Garcia’s recent history.

Ryan may really prefer Benn, but preference doesn’t always dictate the schedule. This is usually what promoters, networks and time do.

Ryan Garcia and Oscar De La Hoya have offered conflicting perspectives on a potential rematch with Devin Haney, while rumors of a Conor Benn fight become more likely.

Garcia won the welterweight world title in February, dethroning Mario Barrios by unanimous decision following a first-round knockout.

Since then, his name has been most closely linked to Benn, the WBC No. 1 contender at 147 pounds, whose last fight was at 150 pounds against Regis Prograis.

In a recent interview with Fighting Hub TVGarcia confirmed that this is the fight he wants.

“Devin Haney never wanted this. He doesn’t want a rematch at all… [I’m going to return in] August. Can’t wait. I just want Conor [Benn]”

Unlike Garcia, said Golden Boy promoter De La Hoya Fight the noise that he “would like” to make a rematch with Haney a priority.

“I’m most interested in the rematch with Devin Haney. It could be a blockbuster event.

“I would love for this fight to take place in Las Vegas at Allegiant Stadium – it could be such a substantial fight.

“I believe this fight is the best fight that can be had right now.”

Garcia reached a majority decision against Haney in April 2024, but the result was declared a no contest after he tested positive twice for the banned substance Ostarine. It remains one of the most intriguing fights in boxing, especially considering the doubts surrounding the first result and the fact that it is currently a unification fight in the welterweight ranks.

But it appears Benn will take his shot despite recently signing a contract with Zuffa Boxing, the latest major promotion of the sport whose frontman Dana White has no interest in working with the four customary sanctioning bodies.

Tim Bradley raised modern questions about Naoya Inoue ahead of a possible fight with Junto Nakatani, saying the undisputed champion has been hit too tough recently and could be he’s starting to get tired of fighting.

“I was hesitant on what to choose,” Bradley said on his channel while talking about Saturday’s Inoue vs. Nakatani fight. “I don’t know who I’m going to favor yet. I’ll let you know later, man. I don’t know. I really don’t know.”

Bradley explained that Nakatani’s length, timing and counters give him the tools to give Inoue more trouble than recent opponents. “Nakatani got a chance to bat,” Bradley said. “In any case, she needs to close the distance from him. The question is, will she do it safely?”

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Last updated: 26/04/2026 at 17:17