Ryan Garcia and Conor Benn have been linked to a world title showdown, and Garcia’s promoter Oscar De La Hoya has provided an update on the fight.
After ditching Matchroom Boxing and signing with Zuffa Boxing, Benn debuted under Dana White’s promotional outfit earlier this month with a decision victory against Prograis on the Tyson Fury vs Arslanbek Makhmudov undercard at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Positioned as the WBC mandatory challenger, it did not take long for whispers of a clash with reigning welterweight champion Garcia to turn into expectations, with ‘King Ry’ unveiling plans to face the Briton in Las Vegas this summer.
Yet, despite Garcia appearing to announce the fight, his promoter De La Hoya seems less sure that the bout will go ahead.
On his Instagram, De La Hoya expressed confusion over how Benn plans to challenge for world honours while signed to Zuffa Boxing, as it is not expected the promotion will recognise the traditional belts and may instead want Benn to compete for its newly created Zuffa title.
“Conor Benn you went on a press tour saying you want to fight Ryan Garcia and every other champion.
“How the F do you plan to do that when you’re signed to Zuffa, who only let you fight for their unicorn POS belt?”
It remains to be seen whether Garcia’s fight announcement was as premature as it now seems, with Benn and White sure to require a conversation about whether a challenge for the WBC welterweight world title would be permitted.
