Conor Benn’s camp has made it clear that the British fighter will never step back into the welterweight division again, according to his longtime trainer Tony Sims. The decision follows Benn’s recent attempt to reclaim a title at 147 pounds, where he faced off against Ryan Garcia for the WBC welterweight championship. The bout ended abruptly in the second round when Garcia landed a powerful punch that forced the referee to stop the fight while Benn was still on his feet. Sims was candid in his post‑fight interview with Sky Sports, emphasizing that there were no excuses for the loss.

“It was a tough weight to make, no doubt about it,” he said. “Conor never tried to hide the difficulty of cutting down to 147.

He put in a solid training camp, the sparring sessions the week before the fight went well, and he was generally in good shape. In the end, he simply got caught with a clean shot. That’s the nature of world‑class boxing.” The trainer went on to confirm that the Garcia showdown will be Benn’s final appearance at welterweight. “Without a shadow of a doubt, that was his last fight at 147,” Sims asserted.

“He managed to make the weight, but it wasn’t easy. The stakes were enormous – the purse, the exposure, the legacy – and you don’t get that kind of opportunity fighting anyone else at that level.

Sometimes a fighter has to take a big risk, even if it means pushing his body to the limit.” Sims also expressed surprise at the timing of the stoppage. He praised Benn’s reaction to the knockout blow, noting that the fighter demonstrated resilience by quickly getting back on his feet. “He did the right thing by staying on his feet and trying to regain his balance,” Sims explained. “He grabbed the ropes, was sliding along them, and tried to stay in the fight.

In my opinion the referee stopped the contest a little early, but the punch that landed was undeniably a great shot.” Reflecting on the broader implications of the defeat, Sims said, “It is what it is. There’s no point in making excuses. It’s a shame the fight didn’t get to go a few more rounds given the magnitude of the event, but the reality is that the damage was done.” Looking ahead, the conversation naturally turned to Benn’s future weight class.

With the welterweight door now closed, many speculate that he will move up to either middleweight or super‑middleweight. Such a shift could set the stage for a potential third encounter with Chris Eubank Jr., a fight that has been simmering since the two sons of legendary rivals Nigel Benn and Chris Eubank first met in the ring. The rivalry between the Benn and Eubank families dates back decades, and the two young fighters have already squared off twice at middleweight. Benn suffered a loss in their first meeting but managed to secure a victory in the rematch, leaving fans eager for a decisive third bout.

Sims acknowledged the lingering intrigue, stating, “That fight will always be on the calendar, whether it happens next year or ten years from now. The names alone keep the buzz alive.

Whether Conor wants to pursue it or Chris does, the matchup will remain a talking point.” However, Sims also warned that Benn may need time away from the sport to recover fully. “I don’t think we’ll hear much about Conor boxing in the immediate future,” he said.

“He needs a proper break – physically, mentally, and emotionally. He’s financially secure for life, but the grind has taken its toll. He’s burnt out, and a period of rest is essential before he decides his next move.” In summary, the trainer’s assessment paints a clear picture: Conor Benn’s era at welterweight is over, and the boxer is likely to seek new challenges at a higher weight. The prospect of a third Benn‑Eubank Jr.

showdown adds an extra layer of excitement to his next chapter, but for now, the focus is on recovery and recalibration. The boxing world will be watching closely to see where Benn lands next, how he rebuilds after the Garcia loss, and whether the long‑awaited family rivalry will finally be settled in the ring.