Conor Benn is expected to challenge WBC welterweight champion Ryan Garcia later this year, and ahead of the bout, his former promoter Eddie Hearn has shared his fight prediction.
Benn left Hearn and Matchroom Boxing on sour terms earlier this year, opting to sign with Dana White’s Zuffa Boxing, ditching his career-long promoter, who had stood by his side despite adversity – and adverse findings – leading to a heated and public fallout.
Since then, Benn has successfully returned to action in a 150lb catchweight affair against Regis Prograis, but he will fight at 147lbs for the first time in over four years when he bids for Garcia’s title as a mandatory challenger.
Speaking to Fight Hub TV, Hearn questioned whether the event should take place stateside, before picking Ryan Garcia as a ‘big favourite’.
“In terms of that fight, I think that it is a good fight. I don’t think it’s a big fight in America, I think it is a big fight in the UK, obviously Ryan is a big star in America, Conor is not. Ryan is a bigger star in the UK than Conor is in America and Conor is a big star in the UK.
“I don’t think that it is a fight that is going to do massive numbers but I like the fight, I think that it is exciting. I think, at 147lbs, Ryan is a big favourite, I don’t think that Conor should be fighting at 147lbs, I like him up at 160lbs, or up towards that weight class.
“I don’t see a way that he beats Ryan Garcia at 147lbs.”
Garcia vs Benn is anticipated to go ahead in Las Vegas in September, with Netflix understood to be a possible broadcaster for the bill.
