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.