Carl Froch has assessed the chances of Conor Benn pulling off a sizable upset against Ryan Garcia, who he is expected to face in September.
Their welterweight showdown was reportedly set to be announced on Friday, with Dana White inviting both fighters to the stage at a UFC weigh-in.
According to boxing journalist Dan Rafael, however, there are still some issues that must be ironed out on Garcia’s side, which concern the involvement of DAZN and Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy.
Benn, meanwhile, has reportedly completed his side of the agreement to challenge for Garcia’s WBC world title in Las Vegas on September 12.
The 29-year-old signed with White’s Zuffa Boxing earlier this year, before unanimously outpointing a faded Regis Prograis over 10 rounds in April.
Yet it seems the promotional and broadcast situation for his clash with Garcia – expected to be streamed on Netflix – is far from straightforward, being that the WBC champion seemingly has an existing contract with Golden Boy and DAZN.
If it does go ahead, though, then Froch has suggested on his YouTube channel that Garcia would prove too skilled for his less proven opponent, giving Benn just a 30% chance of victory.
“This one is exciting, because you get to find out where Conor Benn belongs. Does he belong at world level?
“Ryan Garcia … Would you say he’s an elite-level champion? He’s been down, he’s been beat, [but] you’ve got to say he’s world-class.
“So this is a massive step-up for Conor Benn. I’m not sure it’s the fight he will win. He probably can win it, if he gets the tactics right, but it’s a really tough ask.
“He’s the underdog – he’s probably 70/30 against.”
Garcia claimed his WBC title by dethroning Mario Barrios, who he floored in the opening round before winning their February encounter by unanimous decision.
