Tony Sims, the longtime trainer of Conor Benn, has made it clear that the British boxer will never step back into the welterweight division again. The declaration came after Benn’s brief return to the 147‑pound limit to challenge Ryan Garcia for the WBC welterweight crown, a bout that ended abruptly when Benn was stopped on his feet in the second round. Sims spoke to Sky Sports with a mixture of frustration and realism.

“There are no excuses,” he said. “Making the weight was obviously a challenge – he never tried to hide that – but the preparation was solid.

The sparring sessions the week before the fight went well, he was in good shape, and then he simply got caught by a clean shot. In world‑class boxing that’s how it goes.” He went on to confirm that Garcia’s fight was Benn’s final appearance at welterweight.

“Without a shadow of a doubt, that was his last fight at 147 pounds. He managed to make the weight, but it wasn’t easy,” Sims explained. “The stakes were massive, the purse was huge, and that kind of opportunity doesn’t come around fighting anyone else. Sometimes you have to take a risk, even if it means pushing your body to the limit.” Sims expressed surprise at the timing of the referee’s stoppage.

“It was a fantastic punch that landed cleanly, and Benn reacted well, getting back on his feet quickly,” he recalled. “He tried to clinch, held on, and was sliding on the ropes.

In my view the stoppage was a little early – the shot was a great one, but I think the fight could have continued a bit longer. That’s the nature of the sport; you can’t make excuses after the fact.

It was a shame the contest didn’t get the full distance given its magnitude.” Looking ahead, the conversation turned to Benn’s potential move up in weight. Both a jump to middleweight (160 lb) and a step to super‑middleweight (168 lb) have been floated as viable paths, especially because a higher weight class could open the door to a third showdown with Chris Eubank Jr.

The two fighters, whose fathers Nigel Benn and Chris Eubank were fierce rivals in the 1990s, have already squared off twice at middleweight. Benn lost the first encounter but rebounded with a victory in the second, leaving fans eager for a decisive third bout.

Sims emphasized that the prospect of a third Benn‑Eubank clash will remain on the radar for years to come. “That fight is always going to be there, whether it’s a year from now or ten years from now,” he said.

“Because of the legacy of the two families, the matchup will always be a talking point. Whether Conor wants to pursue it or Chris wants to take it on in the future, the names are forever linked.” However, Sims also warned that Benn is unlikely to be talking about a new fight in the immediate future.

“I don’t think you’ll see Conor focusing on boxing for a while,” he added. “He needs a complete break from the sport right now.

Don’t get me wrong – financially he’s set for life, but the mental and physical toll has been huge. He’s burnt out, and a period of rest is essential before he can consider any next steps, whether that’s a move up in weight or a different career direction.” In summary, Tony Sims has drawn a clear line: Conor Benn’s welterweight chapter is over. The loss to Garcia, while disappointing, was a calculated risk that highlighted the difficulties of cutting to 147 pounds. The trainer’s candid assessment underscores the harsh realities of elite boxing, where weight cuts can jeopardize performance and health.

At the same time, the conversation about Benn’s future remains open, with middleweight and super‑middleweight possibilities on the table, as well as the ever‑present allure of a third Benn‑Eubank Jr. showdown. For now, though, the priority is recovery – both mental and physical – before any new plans are set in motion.