Conor Benn looks set to deliver on a promise that he will fight for the WBC welterweight world title later this year.
Benn hasn’t fought at 147lbs in four years, having been out of action through two failed doping tests before returning at super-welterweight and, when permitted to fight in the UK, facing Chris Eubank Jr twice at middleweight.
His last outing in February came against Regis Prograis at a 150lbs catchweight, and the Brit now clearly feels he can cut back down to welterweight to enforce his mandatory position with the WBC.
Benn has made no secret that new champion Ryan Garcia, who beat Mario Barrios for the belt earlier this year, is his target. Now, speaking on the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, Garcia announced that the Benn fight made.
“I can say that we are fighting September 12th. It will be in Vegas, and the opponent, let’s just say he’s from the other side… Across the pond, I’m sorry. I’ll just say his name cause I love this show. His name is Conor Benn, and he’s talking crazy. He actually confronted me at an award show two years ago. My wife was there, and he grabbed me, pressed up on me. So it’s a little personal. We’ll be ready to go get him.”
Here we go 🥊🥊🥊🥊 pic.twitter.com/3ItChWX1Hw
— RYAN GARCIA (@RyanGarcia) May 19, 2026
It is worth noting for fans that it is the second time Garcia has publicly spoken of this date and match-up, yet no official word from the promotion – likely Ring Magazine – has arrived.
Garcia seems confident, however, and, since Benn is his mandatory challenger, there is little to stand in the way of it being his first world title defence.
