Tony Sims, the longtime coach of British pugilist Conor Benn, has made it unmistakably clear that the 28‑year‑old will not step back into the welterweight division for another bout. The declaration came in the wake of Benn’s ill‑fated challenge for the WBC welterweight crown against the American phenom Ryan Garcia, a fight that ended abruptly when Benn was stopped on his feet in the second round after taking a powerful shot.
Sims spoke to Sky Sports with a mixture of candor and frustration, emphasizing that there are no excuses for the loss. “It was tough doing the weight, of course it was,” he said, acknowledging the difficulty of making 147 pounds.
“He never tried to hide that.” Yet he was quick to point out that Benn had put together a solid preparation camp. “The sparring sessions the week before the fight went really well. He was in sync with his game plan; he just got caught with a clean shot. In world‑class boxing that’s what happens.” When pressed about Benn’s future at 147 pounds, Sims left no room for doubt: “Without a shadow of a doubt, that was his last fight at welterweight.
He made the weight, but it wasn’t easy.” He added that the financial stakes of the Garcia showdown were unparalleled, noting that Benn would not have found a comparable payday fighting anyone else at that weight. “Sometimes you have to take risks when the money and the magnitude of the fight are that big,” Sims explained. Sims also expressed surprise at the timing of the referee’s stoppage. He praised Benn’s reaction to the decisive blow, saying the British fighter rose quickly, grabbed the referee, and tried to stay on his feet despite the ropes wobbling beneath him.
“It was a fantastic shot that landed cleanly, and Conor did a good job of getting back up,” Sims recalled. “I think the stoppage was a little premature, but the shot that nailed him was a great one.
It is what it is; you can’t make excuses for that.” He lamented that a fight of such magnitude was not allowed to continue a few more rounds, suggesting that the audience was denied a potentially dramatic climax. Looking ahead, Sims hinted that a move up in weight could open new doors for Benn, specifically a possible third encounter with Chris Eubank Jr.
The two fighters, whose fathers Nigel Benn and Chris Eubank were legendary rivals in the 1990s, have already squared off twice at middleweight. Benn lost the first meeting but turned the tables in the rematch, leaving fans eager for a decisive third showdown. “That fight will always be on the calendar, whether it’s a year from now or ten years from now,” Sims said. “Because of the names involved, the matchup will always be there.” He stopped short of confirming whether either fighter wants the bout, but he stressed that the narrative will endure.
Sims also warned that Benn might need a substantial break from the sport. “I don’t think you’ll see Conor talking much about boxing for a while yet,” he said.
“He needs a complete rest right now.” While acknowledging that Benn is financially secure for life, Sims noted that the boxer appears to be experiencing burnout, both mentally and physically. The grueling weight cut, the high‑profile loss, and the relentless media scrutiny have taken a toll. In summary, Tony Sims has drawn a firm line in the sand: Conor Benn’s welterweight chapter is officially closed. The loss to Garcia, while painful, has forced a reassessment of his optimal fighting weight.
The trainer believes that moving up to middleweight or even super‑middleweight could not only preserve Benn’s health but also set the stage for a lucrative and historically resonant third clash with Chris Eubank Jr. Until then, Sims advises that Benn steps away from the ring to recover fully, both in body and mind, before plotting his next move in the sport.