Tony Sims, the longtime trainer of Conor Benn, has made it clear that the British fighter will not step back into the welterweight division after his recent defeat. Benn moved up to the 147‑pound limit to challenge Ryan Garcia for the WBC welterweight crown, but the bout ended abruptly when a powerful blow from Garcia forced the referee to stop the fight in the second round while Benn was still on his feet. Sims spoke to Sky Sports with a mix of disappointment and realism. "There are no excuses," he said, acknowledging the difficulty of making the weight.
"He never tried to hide the fact that it was a challenge for him, but he did put together a solid camp. The sparring sessions the week before were productive, and he was in good shape. In the end, he simply got caught with a clean shot, and that’s the nature of world‑class boxing." When pressed about whether the Garcia showdown would be Benn’s final appearance at 147 pounds, Sims answered unequivocally: "Without a shadow of a doubt.
He made the weight, but it wasn’t easy. The stakes were massive, the money was huge, and he wouldn’t have found a fight of that magnitude elsewhere.
Sometimes you have to take those risks." Sims also expressed surprise at the timing of the stoppage. "The punch that landed was a fantastic shot, and Conor reacted well, getting back on his feet quickly," he recalled. "He tried to clinch, holding onto Garcia, and was sliding on the ropes.
In my view the referee stopped the fight a little early, but the blow itself was decisive. It’s what it is – no excuses can change that. It was a shame the contest didn’t get a few more rounds, given how much was on the line." Looking ahead, the conversation turned to Benn’s future weight class.
Both middleweight (160 lb) and super‑middleweight (168 lb) have been mentioned as possible new homes for the boxer. A move up could also reopen the door to a third encounter with Chris Eubank Jr., the son of the legendary Nigel Benn’s historic rival.
The two have already met twice at middleweight: Benn lost the first meeting but bounced back to win the rematch. A decisive third bout would settle the family rivalry once and for all, and Sims believes that matchup will linger in the public imagination for years.
"That fight will always be there, whether it happens next year or ten years from now," Sims said. "The names are linked together in boxing folklore.
Whether Conor wants to pursue it or Chris does, the bout will remain a possibility." However, Sims cautioned that Benn may need a significant break from the sport before making any further decisions. "I don’t think we’ll hear Conor talking about boxing for a while," he added.
"He needs a complete rest right now. Financially he’s set for life, but the physical and mental toll has been substantial. He’s burnt out, and a period away from the ring could be exactly what he needs to recover and reassess his career path." In summary, Tony Sims has confirmed that Conor Benn’s welterweight chapter is effectively closed. The loss to Garcia, while disappointing, highlighted the challenges of cutting weight and the unforgiving nature of elite competition.
Benn’s next steps will likely involve a move up to a higher division, where his natural size and power could be better suited, and perhaps a long‑awaited showdown with Chris Eubank Jr. For now, the trainer emphasizes the importance of recovery, both physically and mentally, before the young fighter decides on his next move in the sport.