Conor Benn is expected to challenge WBC welterweight champion Ryan Garcia later this year, and ahead of the fight, his former promoter Eddie Hearn shared his predictions for the fight.

Benn left Hearn and Matchroom Boxing earlier this year under arduous circumstances, choosing to sign with Dana White’s Zuffa Boxing, abandoning his long-time promoter who had stood by him despite adversity – and unfavorable findings – leading to a heated and public conflict.

Since then Benn successfully returned to action in a 150-pound catchweight bout against Regis Prograisbut for the first time in over four years, he will fight at 147 pounds, challenging for Garcia’s title as the mandatory challenger.

I’m talking to Fighting Hub TVHearn had doubts whether the event should be held in the United States, and chose Ryan Garcia as the “huge favorite”.

“As for this fight, I think it’s a good fight. I don’t think it’s a huge fight in America, I think it’s a huge fight in the UK, obviously Ryan is a huge star in America, Conor isn’t. Ryan is a bigger star in the UK than Conor is in America, and Conor is a huge star in the UK.

“I don’t think it’s a fight that’s going to produce huge numbers, but I like the fight, I think it’s thrilling. I think at 147 pounds, Ryan is the huge favorite. I don’t think Conor should fight at 147 pounds. I like him at over 160 pounds or around that weight class.”

“I don’t see any way he can beat Ryan Garcia at 147 pounds.”

The Garcia vs. Benn event is expected to take place in Las Vegas in September, and Netflix will be a potential broadcaster of the bill.

The debate came to featherlight following Azim’s victory over Steve Claggett on Saturday. In a later speech, trainer Shane McGuigan indicated that the fight with Smith could be made even without a unification title, provided both sides felt that the terms were fair.

Hearn made it clear that he saw the situation very differently.

“It can certainly be achieved without unification, but then it is a voluntary defense. How can it be an equal division? Who has Adam Azim ever defeated?” Hearn told Stomping Ground.

Tell me about his best victory. Claggett.

Dalton Smith went to Up-to-date York and knocked out Subriel Matias to win the WBC world title. How can we even talk about equal distribution?”

Smith won the WBC title with a victory over Matias earlier this year, which established him as one of the top 140-pound fighters in the conversation. Azim remains undefeated and highly regarded, but Hearn argued that his record did not justify parity at the negotiating table.

The Matchroom chairman then turned his attention to Azim’s commercial value, criticizing the turnout at Saturday’s event and insisting that Smith offered the challenger a chance rather than negotiate on an equal footing.

“By the way, I love Adam Azim, I think he’s a wonderful kid and a great fighter. But as far as promotion goes, this is the worst job I’ve ever seen.” Hearn said,

It was empty there on Saturday [for Azim vs. Steve Claggett].

Don’t get me started on equal sharing. Get in line. Do what they tell you. You are a voluntary defense. We will make you an offer. If you believe you can win the world title and beat Dalton Smith, you can win it. If not, go and get the belt. We will achieve great unification.”

The Smith-Azim fight remains one of the biggest all-British fights available in the division, but Hearn’s comments suggest any negotiations could start with significant disagreement over who deserves a bigger share of the purse.

Former WBO president Francisco “Paco” Valcarcel has asked the Association of Boxing Commissions to take action over the WBA’s continued exploit of “regular” and “interim” world titles.

Valcarcel, one of boxing’s most experienced sanctioning body figures, has taken aim at the WBA after another period of confusion over secondary belts, stoppage rulings and title fights that have left fans in need of a flowchart.

The WBA has repeatedly promised to reduce the number of belts in circulation.

He still hasn’t cleaned up the mess.

Paco Valcarcel attacks WBA titles

“When will the Association of Boxing Commissions come to their senses and force the WBA to kill the stinking “regular” and “interim” titles?” – asked Valcarcel.

“Enact the Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act now.”

Changes to the Ali Law currently proposed by TKO Group and Zuffa Boxing state only one champion per division will be allowed in the United States.

After calling for reform, Valcarcel then pointed to promises made years ago regarding the WBA belt reduction process.

“A few years ago, they promised to end the celebration of these titles, and the word was not kept,” he said.

“And this was promised not only to the fans, but also to ABC, which ordered the WBA to put an end to these titles under pain of not being able to receive sanction fees for fights held in the US.”

Confusion surrounding the WBA title is growing

WBN reported that as of November, the WBA had 38 super, lasting and interim champions in 18 boxing divisions.

The latest comments follow Paco Valcarcel’s “joking” verdict on the WBA title tussle, which comes after Seiya Tsutsumi publicly admitted he no longer knows where he stands in the WBA bantamweight title fight.

In 2013, then-WBA vice president Gilberto Mendoza told World Boxing News that the organization would review its “superchampion” system after years of criticism about too many belts.

A year later, Mendoza again informed WBN that the WBA super and interim titles “may change,” adding that officials were checking to see what would happen next.

More than a decade later, boxing still suffers from the same belt problem.

Gervonta Davis was moved to the “Champion in Recess” title before the WBA later ordered him to face Floyd Schofield.

Murat Gassiev holds the WBA Regular heavyweight title, while Tony Yoka has been included in the title fight despite spending years outside the sanctioning body’s top 15.

ABC pressure

It’s no longer just about fans mocking too many belts or fighters trying to explain their championship status. The former chairman of the sanctioning body points directly to the regulatory threat that once hung over the WBA’s secondary championships.

The WBA promised fewer belts, and the same elderly mess is back in various divisions.

Valcarcel’s question now is whether ABC will do something about it.

About the author

Phil Jay is the editor-in-chief of World Boxing News (WBN) and a boxing veteran with over 15 years of experience. Read the full biography.