Johnny Nelson highlighted how Conor Benn’s improvements could impact a “surprising” matchup with Ryan Garcia later this year.

The two pairs are expected to fight in Las Vegas for Garcia’s WBC belt, with the welterweight champion citing September 12 as a possible date.

“King Ry” won the world title in February, dethroning Mario Barrios by unanimous decision after defeating his fighter in the first round.

Previously, Garcia suffered a points defeat to Rolando Romero after defeating a second-round knockout, which occurred in May 2025 after a one-year doping ban.

This penalty was imposed on the American after he tested positive for the banned substance ostarine, which resulted in his majority victory over Devin Haney being declared a no-contest.

In the meantime, Benn failed two anti-doping tests, both of which tested positive for clomiphine, and was removed from the 2022 fight with Chris Eubank Jr.

The Briton will eventually face his domestic rival in April 2025, losing a unanimous decision before winning their middleweight rematch by the same margin last November.

Benn subsequently maintained his status as the No. 1 contender in the WBC, which still ranks him at welterweight, defeating Regis Prograis in a catchweight match last April he weighed 150 pounds.

However, considering the 29-year-old to be a clear underdog, former world champion Nelson told Boxing News that he would nevertheless give Benn a chance against Garcia.

“You have to lean towards Ryan Garcia, but you can’t write Conor Benn off. Conor Benn has forever and continually surprised many of us with his decision-making, where he has gone in his career and what he has achieved in his career.

“So don’t write him off because Conor Benn has always improved as a player. Ryan Garcia, we know what he means: he’s quick as hell and we know he’s a hazardous cookie, but we also know Conor Benn is a professional who thinks, ‘I’m going to put my heart and soul into this and prove you all wrong.’

Benn may have proven most people wrong in his rematch with Eubank, but it’s demanding to imagine where else in his career he has pulled off such a major upset.

“Davis vs. Haney, the biggest fight of the year.⭐️”

Haney replied shortly thereafter, but instead of enjoying the duel, he focused on Stevenson.

“Me vs. Shakur… is the most vital thing. Our fight would be massive though.”

The exchange is noteworthy because it comes just days after Bill Haney publicly suggested that Shakur would be his preferred opponent ahead of any potential fight with Keyshawn.

While Haney didn’t dismiss Davis outright, his response made it clear which fight he viewed as the biggest draw.

The Haney-Shakur fight has been talked about for years. Both undefeated stars have a long history dating back to their amateur days and were often paired together as professionals. Even though they have competed in adjacent weight classes for most of their careers, the fight has yet to materialize.

Keyshawn has recently stepped up his pursuit of Haney, repeatedly calling for a fight and predicting it would end up being one of the most memorable fights of the year.

Haney’s latest commentary suggests that while he sees value in fighting Davis, Stevenson remains at the top of his list.

There’s no telling how soon this fight will happen, but Haney’s response made Stevenson part of the conversation again.

Davis insists on a showdown with Haney. Meanwhile, Haney seems more interested in talking about Shakur Stevenson.

After twelve rounds with Devin Haney, Regis Prograis considered how his former rival might fare against Shakur Stevenson.

Both Stevenson and Haney have recently been linked to a move to Zuffa Boxingand the constant back-and-forth, the pound-for-pound battle between the two US operators appears to be getting closer, even despite the weight difference between them.

Stevenson has only fought once at super lightweight – that was a stellar win over Teofimo Lopez – and he could probably move back to lightweight again. On the other hand, Haney is now a welterweight and his days of performing under the 147-pound limit may be over.

I’m talking to Boxing in Mill CityPrograis – whom Haney knocked down and defeated on the cards in 2023 – said that despite feeling his former opponent was “too gigantic” for the fight, he was still close to Stevenson’s victory.

“I don’t think they will fight because Haney is too gigantic. I’m not saying Shakur is a little boy, but Shakur is petite compared to Devin.

“They really have a similar style, Devin is just a bigger version. Shakur is left-handed, I think he has a little more skill in my case. But if they fought, I would still say Shakur, just because of the left-handed style. It will be close. No one will knock the other out, it would just be a boxing match. I don’t think anyone would get hurt. I don’t think it would be that invigorating. I’m betting on Shakur, but if Devin wins or draws, I wouldn’t be surprised.”

Stevenson has proposed either a catchweight of 144 pounds or 147 pounds with a rehydration clause, but Haney intends not to give the smaller fighter any advantage and will apparently only take the fight at welterweight without any reservations. This condition could be the basis for an all-American superfight.