Eddie Hearn has shared his view on Conor Benn‘s performance against Ryan Garcia on Saturday.

Benn came up short in his maiden world title bid as he was stopped inside two rounds by WBC welterweight champion Garcia at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

It was Benn’s second fight under the Zuffa Boxing banner, after his shock split with long-term promoter Hearn, and the Matchroom Boxing chief told IFL TV that he thought his former fighter looked ‘lost’ against Garcia.

“I’ve been around Conor Benn his whole career and know him pretty well, and I just felt he looked lost. Maybe it was the weight. I don’t know if it was his confidence but he looked lost. In the ring he looked all over the place, jumping around, diving in, and he looked like a rabbit in the headlights.”

Despite their well-publicised split, Hearn did go on to sympathise with Benn, insisting that it isn’t the time for fans to start sticking the boot in.

“I’ve got more reasons than most to throw him to the wolves, but I don’t think there is any need to, look at what he’s done. People will get on his back now and say ‘he’s useless, he couldn’t win a British title, who has he ever beat?’ They might be right but he’s done it.

“I’m not going to sit here now and say he was never any good, because I do think he’s a good fighter and I think he has improved so much, so he deserves a lot of credit for how hard he’s worked to get into that position.”

It’s currently unknown what Benn plans to do next, having released a statement saying he is currently focused on spending time with his family.

McCall, the former WBC heavyweight champion who famously knocked out Lennox Lewis in a 1994 upset, fought as recently as June of last year, when he boxed a draw with Carlos Reyes. McCall launched a comeback in November of 2024, when he stopped Stacy Frazier, with “The Atomic Bull” then stopping Gary Cobia before boxing the draw. McCall is currently 61-14-1(40).

Ibeabuchi, who served many years in prison, was unable to box from 1999 to August of last year, when “The President” made a shocking return to the ring in stopping Idris Afinni. Ibeabuchi, a terrific fighter in his short-lived prime, was then decisioned by Kabiru Towolawi in December of last year. Ibeabuchi is currently 21-1(16) and he, like McCall, has never been stopped in a fight.

The organisers of the November 26 fight, to go out on Prizefighting tv.com, have issued a statement in which they stipulate how the fight must generate 12,500 buys via pre-sale, otherwise the fight will not go ahead.

“We are taking this directly to the fans,” the statement reads. “You don’t have to wait on network executives or corporate promoters anymore. If you want to see two true heavyweight legends go to war, show your appreciation with your wallet. It’s $9.95, completely risk-free, and puts the power back where it beloings – with the fans.”

Needless to say with regards to this simply bizarre possible fight, the alarm bells are well and truly ringing, with many boxing fans as well as pundits and fellow fighters being deeply concerened for the health of both men. Will this fight indeed happen as planned?

British boxing will introduce a new light cruiserweight division on January 1, 2027, creating a 187-pound stopping point between light heavyweight and cruiserweight.

The British Boxing Board of Control has confirmed the new championship weight class will bridge the biggest current gap between two divisions, with 25 pounds separating the 175-pound light heavyweight and 200-pound cruiserweight limits.

Light cruiserweight will initially be available across Area, English, Celtic and British titles.

New 187-Pound Division

The BBBofC has outlined how the new championship division will work.

“The British Boxing Board of Control will be introducing a new Championship Weight Class with effect from 1st January 2027.

“The new division will be placed between the current Light Heavyweight division of 12st 7lbs, and the Cruiserweight division of 14st 4lbs.

“Light Cruiserweight will have a Championship limit of 13st 5lbs (187lbs), and as such will bridge the current largest weight gap between two divisions in the sport (25lbs) and will be available across Area, English, Celtic and British Titles.”

Adding a bridge between 175 and 200 pounds is a solid move, particularly for fighters who struggle to make light heavyweight but are undersized when competing against full cruiserweights.

It can be questioned, however, whether the change could have been made years ago.

The timing also comes during another period of change and uncertainty for boxing’s weight structure.

Less than three months ago, the WBA scrapped its own bridgerweight division after the 200-to-224-pound category struggled to establish sufficient depth.

The WBC continues to recognize bridgerweight at 224 pounds, effectively giving the sport another step-up on the opposite side of cruiserweight.

Bridgerweight Future Uncertain

Boxing is already dealing with competing weight structures.

The WBC introduced bridgerweight in 2020 to accommodate fighters between cruiserweight and heavyweight, but the concept has never been universally adopted.

The WBA subsequently introduced its own version before abandoning the division in June 2026.

Starting another weight class now, when confusion already reigns over the Ali Act and the future of bridgerweight remains uncertain, may not be the ideal move.

However, there is one significant difference.

The BBBofC has announced light cruiserweight for its Area, English, Celtic and British championships rather than attempting to introduce another universally recognized world division.

If light cruiserweight stays exclusively regional to the UK, the rest of boxing can carry on regardless.

For British fighters caught between 175 and 200 pounds, another championship option will officially be available from January 1. But when they reach world level, they will have to decide whether to compete at 175 or 200 pounds, potentially adding even more confusion.

About the Author

Phil Jay is the Editor-in-Chief of World Boxing News (WBN), a BWAA-acknowledged boxing news website founded in 2010. A veteran boxing reporter with 16 years of experience, he has interviewed world champions, broken international exclusives, and reported ringside from major events. His work is published worldwide through WBN and distributed on platforms including Apple News.

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