Fresh off his decision win last Saturday night over Regis Prograis, Conor Benn has agreed to a multi-fight renewal with Zuffa Boxing. Now, the next question is whether this signing helps or hurts his possible title shot with Ryan Garcia?
It didn't take long off his win last weekend at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for Conor Benn to decide what to do for his promotional future. This, as the popular English fighter has decided to re-sign with Zuffa Boxing (Turki Alashikh) on a multi-fight deal announced Fridy. And, the bigger question- is the possible WBC welterweight title fight with Ryan Garcia more or less likely to happen later this year?
First, Zuffa went all out with promotion Friday afternoon of the Benn agreeing to remain promotionally with them. CEO Dana White started by sharing this social post,
It's no coincidence with White's other massive combat sports outlet UFC also based in Las Vegas and the WWE holding it's "Wrestlemania 42" there this weekend, that they would bring Benn there and promote around their event.
Benn, 25–1, 14 KOs, dominated the veteran Prograis over 10 rounds fighting at the "catch weight" of 150 lb. after having parted ways with Matchroom Boxing. He reportedly got a staggering $15 million one-fight deal backed by Alalshikh.
Eddie Hearn, the Matchroom promoter was at ringside fueling whether he might look to re-sign with them at the massive "one off" deal with Zuffa.
Alas, White later confirmed on ESPN's Friday "First Take" live, talk show with Stephen A. Smith airing live from Vegas that it's actually "a five fight deal over the next two and a half years."
"We're going to try to make it (Garcia fight) for the WBC world title. We're the mandatory for that," Benn said Friday on "First Take."
I want that shot. I've worked hard to get to that shot, but ultimately, it's boxing. We'll see what's there? There are a lot of fighters calling me out. Whatever the public wants, it can get."
Benn was gifted the #1 ranking at welterweight by the WBC late last year, despite not having fought at 147 lb. in over three years. And, it's an organization whom White has repeatedly made fun of, publicly and promised to put entities like them out of business.
So, that would seem to jeopardize what was being put in the works with Alashikh in having Garcia defend against Benn potentially in August.
For his part, the outspoken, prominent Southern California star Garcia, who defeated Mario Barrios to claim his first world title last month had posted on social media this week that the Benn title fight was done for later in the Summer.
And, on our latest 'Big Fight Weekend Preview Podcast" out Friday morning insider Dan Rafael said the working date for Garcia-Benn is August 15th. Hear us discussing it by clicking play below,
Still, that doesn't mean that it's done and obviously, Zuffa and Benn could elect to fight someone else, too.
Then, again the biggest money fight for now, for both is Garcia meeting Benn.