After taking revenge for his defeat against Chris Eubank Jr. in the second half of 2025, Conor Benn’s goal for 2026 is to win the welterweight world title, and the 29-year-old may fight for the belt in his next fight. Now his target opponent and date have been revealed.
Benn suffered the first defeat of his career, losing to Eubank Jr. in April, but seven months later a dominant performance saw ‘The Destroyer’ bounce back, equalize the scores with his arch enemy and emerge as one of British boxing’s biggest stars.
Despite drawing with Eubank, Benn showed no interest in a trilogy with his inter-generational rival, instead opting to return to his natural weight class of 147 pounds and attempt to win world titles.
He was linked with a fight with WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios, but according to reports, the Texan has signed a contract for a fight with Ryan Garcia – another name that was on Benn’s lips.
I’m talking to Boxing in the match roompromoter Eddie Hearn revealed that Benn planned to face the winner of that contest next, but explained that they would only wait on the sidelines if they were guaranteed a shot at the winner.
“We should just wait if we’re guaranteed this fight and we won’t find out for a while because this fight hasn’t even happened yet if we’re guaranteed this fight. So we’re working behind the scenes.”
“Ryan Garcia vs. Conor Benn – probably the biggest fight in boxing. We’d take 15,000 [fans] to Las Vegas for this fight; Conor would sell the stadium with Ryan.
“Ryan is a substantial name, but he has to beat Barrios first and I believe he will do it.”
As for the time frame for Benn’s next fight, Hearn detailed that he hopes to stage a fight for Benn’s WBC title in May or June at the latest, but added that his fighter will return sooner if he is unable to secure the opportunity.
“I won’t let him sit and wait. You know how he is, he’s back in the gym and he looks phenomenal.
“He won’t want to wait until July/August to fight, we have to fight in May/June at the latest if we are guaranteed this fight. If not, we will go earlier.”
The Barrios-Garcia Gala will take place on Saturday, February 21, and the current advertised venue is the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Although the official details of the event have not been formally confirmed yet. Garcia’s promoter, Oscar De La Hoya, says an announcement is imminent.