Connor Benn Still Has His Sights on Ryan Garcia

Conor Benn has once again made it clear that his sights are firmly set on WBC welterweight champion Ryan Garcia, insisting that a showdown between the two remains his top priority despite growing uncertainty surrounding negotiations.

Speaking at a TKO event in Washington, D.C., Benn reaffirmed his ambition to capture the WBC welterweight title, a belt that carries special significance for his family. While the British contender was in the U.S. capital to attend a series of combat sports events, he admitted he was disappointed to miss a landmark occasion back home.

Benn was absent from the International Boxing Hall of Fame induction ceremony that honored his father, former two-division world champion Nigel Benn. However, he expressed excitement about being in Washington, where he was scheduled to attend the UFC event taking place on the White House lawn.

The focus quickly shifted to his own career and his pursuit of Garcia's WBC crown.

“The goal for me is to get the WBC world title,” said Benn. “It’s a belt I’ve dreamed of achieving since I was a kid. It’s the belt my dad won, and Ryan, I’m taking it and there’s nothing you can do about it.”

For months, Benn had appeared to be the leading candidate to challenge Garcia. Despite not competing at the welterweight limit for several years, Benn currently holds the No. 1 position in the WBC rankings at 147 pounds, making him a natural contender for a title opportunity.

However, talks surrounding the fight have reportedly cooled amid ongoing business complications involving Garcia's representatives at Golden Boy Promotions and DAZN, and Benn's backers at Zuffa Boxing. While neither side has officially ruled out the matchup, the bout appears to be losing momentum as alternative options emerge.

Benn, though, remains confident that the fight will eventually happen and had a blunt response when asked about a potential timeline.

“When am I fighting Garcia? When he fights his pen and whenever he comes out from wherever he’s hiding… He can get the smoke no problem. He’s getting smashed to pieces whenever he signs the contract.”

The comments continue a growing war of words between the two fighters, with Benn showing no shortage of confidence as he pursues the biggest fight of his career.

Benn enters the discussion with a professional record of 25-1 with 14 knockouts. His most recent appearance came in April when he earned a decision victory over former world champion Regis Prograis, further strengthening his case for a title shot.

Garcia, meanwhile, owns a record of (25-2, 20KOs) and has yet to make the first defense of the WBC welterweight title he captured from Mario Barrios in February.

Whether negotiations can be revived remains to be seen, but Benn's message was unmistakable: he wants Garcia, he wants the WBC title, and he believes the champion is delaying the inevitable.