Conor Benn: Ryan Garcia is 'the priority' but big names are 'begging' for a fight as Brit star extends deal with Zuffa Boxing
Conor Benn says his main priority is a Ryan Garcia fight but he has other options after signing a multi-fight deal with Zuffa Boxing; Benn defeated Regis Prograis on points last weekend; Head of Zuffa Boxing Dana White is targeting more UK talent after signing Benn and Chris Billam-Smith
Friday 17 April 2026 21:22, UK
Conor Benn says a WBC title clash with Ryan Garcia is 'the priority' but warned his American rival other big names are now 'begging him' for a fight.
Benn has signed a multi-year, multi-fight deal with Zuffa Boxing after marking his debut for the promotional company by defeating Regis Prograis on the Tyson Fury bill at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last Saturday night.
The British star is the mandatory challenger for Garcia, the WBC welterweight champion, but Benn believes he is now in contention to fight an array of elite opponents.
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"Of course, it is the priority to get that Garcia fight done, but I am not short of options," Benn told Sky Sports.
"There are a lot of fighters calling me out, big names calling me out.
"God willing, we get the Garcia fight done for the title. I am in the No 1 position for that belt and I have worked extremely hard to get to that position.
"If Ryan doesn't want it, there are plenty of fish out there."
The 29-year-old, who avenged his only loss in a rematch win over Chris Eubank Jr at middleweight last November, admits he has been amused by the reaction to his points victory over two-time world champion Prograis.
Benn said: "Do you know what is funny? After the weekend, you have all the fighters calling me out begging me for the fight.
"It just goes to show their character because no-one was calling me out after the second Eubank fight, everyone went radio silent.
"They have seen me down at 150lbs and go to points and they want to start hyping up and calling me out.
"Maybe it is a blessing that I went to points and 10 rounds with Regis.
"What a lot of people are missing is that it is my first fight back at 150[lbs] in four years. Not only that, it was at six weeks' notice.
"Not many people can say they will fight a two-time former world champion as a run-out, win almost every round, and drop it down to 149[lbs].
"For me, it is a matter of being disciplined, staying in the gym and being ready to go in six or seven weeks.
"If Ryan wants it, he can have it - he can have it tomorrow if he wants it.
"But that is news to me [about negotiations for a summer fight]."
Dana White, head of Zuffa Boxing, is open to making a 'fun' fight between Benn and Garcia.
White told Sky Sports: "All the guys that have signed with us - we say what have you dreamed about, what do you want to do, what have been the plans with your career?
"We like to hear all those things.
"Obviously, I am about making the biggest fights you can possibly make.
"All these kids that are fighting with us see it the same way."
White: I want lots of UK talent
Zuffa Boxing have also announced the signing of Chris Billam-Smith, the former WBO cruiserweight champion, and White expects to recruit more of Britain's best fighters in the coming weeks.
"Let me put it to you this way: I just did a big deal with Sky and we are going to be bringing you big fights to the UK," he said.
"So yes, I am looking for lots of UK talent.
"Not just the big names that you all know. I am looking for young up-and-coming guys, too, that we think have the potential to be world champions."
