Conor Benn has made it clear that securing a bout with WBC welterweight champion Ryan Garcia remains his foremost objective, yet he also emphasized that a host of other high‑profile fighters are already knocking on his door, eager for a showdown. Benn recently inked a multi‑year, multi‑fight contract with Zuffa Boxing, a deal that followed his impressive debut for the promotion when he outboxed Regis Prograis on the undercard of the Tyson Fury‑headlined event at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last Saturday.
As the mandatory challenger for Garcia’s title, Benn is positioned at the very top of the contender ladder, but he insists his options extend far beyond a single opponent. "Of course, getting that Garcia fight done is the priority," Benn told Sky Sports, "but I’m not short of alternatives. 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." Benn’s confidence is bolstered by a string of recent achievements. The 29‑year‑old British star avenged his only career loss by defeating Chris Eubank Jr.
in a middleweight rematch last November, and he has now added a points win over two‑time world champion Regis Prograis to his résumé. The Prograis victory was especially notable because Benn stepped back up to the 150‑pound limit for the first time in four years, accepting the fight on just six weeks’ notice.
He managed to dominate most of the ten rounds, dropping to 149 pounds for the final bout, a feat few fighters could claim. Reflecting on the sudden surge of interest from other contenders, 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 150 lbs 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." He added that the quick turnaround and the ability to compete at a lower weight class demonstrate his discipline and readiness: "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." Zuffa Boxing’s CEO, Dana White, echoed Benn’s enthusiasm for marquee match‑ups. Speaking to Sky Sports, White said the promotion is keen to facilitate "fun" fights that capture the public’s imagination.
"All the guys that have signed with us – we ask what you’ve dreamed about, what you want to do, what the plans are for 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 also highlighted Zuffa’s broader ambitions in the UK market.
The company has recently added former WBO cruiserweight champion Chris Billam‑Smith to its roster and intends to sign more of Britain’s top talent 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," White explained. "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." The landscape of the welterweight division is buzzing with speculation. While Benn’s focus remains on securing the Garcia showdown, the presence of other elite opponents—ranging from rising prospects to established veterans—means that the British fighter could have several pathways to a high‑profile bout. Whether it’s a clash with a seasoned former champion or a fresh test against a hungry newcomer, Benn’s recent performances have placed him firmly in the conversation for many of the sport’s most coveted fights. In summary, Conor Benn’s priority is unmistakably a title fight against Ryan Garcia, but his recent victory over Regis Prograis, his disciplined preparation at a lower weight, and the growing chorus of challengers signal that his future could involve a variety of high‑stakes match‑ups.
With Zuffa Boxing backing his ambitions and Dana White promising to deliver blockbuster events, the next few months could see Benn stepping into the ring against not only Garcia but perhaps several other top‑tier opponents, each eager to test themselves against the British star’s skill and determination.