Amir Khan has named a realistic opponent for Conor Benn as he considers whether the Brit can make drastic improvements and become a world champion.
‘The Destroyer’ entered his first major title shot last month, moving back down to 147lbs for a clash with WBC champion Ryan Garcia.
Inevitably, much was made over the fact he had not competed at welterweight since 2022, when he tested positive for clomifene and was removed from his scheduled encounter with Chris Eubank Jr.
Regardless of the weight, though, Benn was comprehensively outclassed by Garcia, who utilised a glaring speed advantage to floor his man with a right hand in round two.
After that, Benn could not recover and was ultimately stopped on his feet, with many questioning why he had been afforded such a major opportunity.
Indeed, there was nothing to suggest he could seriously compete at world level, given the 30-year-old’s most notable win came against a faded and weight-drained Chris Eubank Jr last November.
But despite not reaching the top level, British boxing icon Khan has told Boyle Sports that Benn can still pursue a lucrative rubber match with Eubank at 168lbs.
“I think Conor may just miss the boat of being that top-level, elite fighter. But he’s good, don’t get me wrong, and he’s dangerous. He’s got power. For some reason, in that Ryan Garcia fight, it hurt me seeing it because he just couldn’t get in. It showed levels. He didn’t feel comfortable there.
“I think he should get the rematch with Eubank. That would be a fantastic fight. He’s already a name in UK boxing and he can fight some former world champions. But fighting the world champions or becoming world champion will be very difficult, especially at 147[lbs]. I think his best chance would have been [against Mario] Barrios.”
Barrios had defended his WBC title against Manny Pacquiao in July 2025, before getting unanimously outpointed and dethroned by Garcia last February.
