Conor Benn is in discussions for a world title fight against a boxer who was banned for doping before.
Conor Benn is reportedly in talks to fight WBC welterweight champ Ryan Garcia later this year. Benn, 29, won a clear decision against former champion Regis Prograis on April 11 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, during Tyson Fury’s comeback event.
Some fans weren’t happy with Benn’s performance, as he finished with a badly swollen face and a cut above his eye. This was Benn’s first fight with new promoter Zuffa Boxing, after he split from longtime promoter Eddie Hearn earlier this year. The change caused some tension between Benn and Hearn, but Benn says he respects Hearn and made the move for his family’s sake.
People have been wondering who Benn will fight next, and reports say it could be Ryan Garcia. According to Boxing Scene, the two are “far along” in talks for a late-summer WBC welterweight title fight. The exact date and place haven’t been set, but it might happen in August and could be streamed on Netflix or DAZN.
Garcia, 27, won the WBC title in his last fight against Mario Barrios in Nevada, improving his record to 25–1. This was his first win after coming back from a one-year ban for testing positive for ostarine, a banned substance, after his April 2024 fight with Devin Haney, which was later ruled a no-contest. Garcia was fined nearly £1 million and had to pay extra for the violation.
Benn also had a two-year ban from 2022 to 2024 after testing positive for clomifene but was later cleared of wrongdoing by the National Anti-Doping Panel.
Earlier this month, Benn called Garcia “good for boxing” but also a “liability.” He told BBC Sport, “Garcia’s good for the sport. He’s a character and entertaining, but also risky. I’m the mandatory number one challenger for him. I could wait until September, or take a chance sooner and stay active. I like to take risks and have fun.”
Benn added, “You never know what Garcia will do—if he shows up, if the fight happens, or if there’s some drama. People don’t often just be themselves in boxing, so I respect that he’s true to who he is. I may not like him, but some people do. Just be yourself.”