Tony Sims, the longtime coach of Conor Benn, has made it clear that the English boxer will not step back into the welterweight division again. The statement came after Benn’s brief and ill‑fated comeback at 147 pounds, where he challenged Ryan Garcia for the WBC welterweight title. The bout ended abruptly in the second round when Garcia landed a powerful shot that forced the referee to stop the fight while Benn was still standing. Sims was candid with Sky Sports, saying there were no excuses for the loss.
"The weight cut was tough, no doubt about it, and Conor never tried to hide that," he explained. He added that the preparation leading up to the fight had been solid: the sparring sessions the week before went well, and Benn was in good rhythm. "He was tuned in, but he got caught with a clean shot. In world‑class boxing that’s just part of the game," Sims said.
When asked whether the Garcia fight would be Benn’s final appearance at welterweight, Sims answered unequivocally: "Without a shadow of a doubt. He made the weight, but it was a struggle." He emphasized that the financial and promotional stakes of that particular showdown were unique – a level of money and exposure that Benn would not have found elsewhere at that weight class. "Sometimes you have to take a risk when the reward is that big," Sims noted. Sims also expressed surprise at how quickly the referee intervened.
He described the decisive punch as “fantastic,” acknowledging that Benn reacted well by getting back on his feet. "He did the right thing, grabbed the ropes, tried to stay upright, but the referee stopped it a little early," the trainer said. While he believed the stoppage was premature, he also accepted that the blow was decisive. "It is what it is – no excuses can change that," Sims concluded, lamenting that a fight of such magnitude could not continue a few more rounds.
Looking ahead, the conversation shifted to Benn’s future weight class. Moving up to middleweight or even super‑middleweight could open the door to a third encounter with Chris Eubank Jr., a matchup that has been teased for years due to the historic rivalry between their fathers, Nigel Benn and Chris Eubank. The two sons have already squared off twice at middleweight: Benn lost the first meeting but rebounded to win the rematch.
A decisive third bout would settle the score once and for all. Sims believes that the prospect of a Benn‑Eubank clash will always linger, regardless of the timeline. "That fight will always be there, whether it’s a year from now or ten years later.
The names are linked in boxing history," he said. He admitted, however, that he does not know if either fighter is currently interested in pursuing the bout. "Whether Conor wants it or Chris wants it in the future, I can’t say," Sims added.
For the moment, Sims suggests that Benn needs a substantial break from the sport. "I don’t think we’ll hear Conor talking much about boxing for a while," he warned. The trainer stressed that while Benn is financially secure – "he’s set up for life" – the physical and mental toll of the recent fight has left him exhausted. "He’s burnt out, both mentally and physically," Sims said, recommending a complete rest period before any further decisions are made about his career.
The implications of Benn’s move away from welterweight are significant for the broader boxing landscape. The welterweight division, already crowded with talent, will now lose a high‑profile name, potentially reshaping title contention pathways. Meanwhile, Benn’s potential ascent to higher weight classes could inject fresh intrigue into the middleweight and super‑middleweight scenes, especially if a third Benn‑Eubank showdown materializes. Fans and promoters alike will be watching closely to see how Benn’s next steps unfold, whether he chooses to rebuild at a new weight, take time off to recover, or perhaps even explore opportunities outside the ring.
In summary, Tony Sims has drawn a clear line: Conor Benn’s era at 147 pounds is over. The loss to Ryan Garcia was a harsh lesson about the challenges of cutting weight and the unforgiving nature of elite competition.
While the stoppage may have been a touch early, the result stands, and Benn’s future now lies in higher divisions or a period of rest and recovery. The lingering possibility of a third Benn‑Eubank Jr. fight adds a tantalizing narrative thread, but for now, the focus is on healing and deciding the next chapter in Benn’s boxing journey.