Dave Allen has given an honest breakdown of what Conor Benn might be able to do next following his defeat to Ryan Garcia.
Benn was the underdog going into his first world title fight against a fighter at a level he had never fought before.
His best wins had been over ageing fighters Chris Eubank Jr and Regis Prograis in his last two outings, and the fact he was cutting down to 147lbs for the first time in four years despite having fought as high as 168 last year was also a huge factor.
Although he made a tenacious start, Benn never landed much on Garcia and was instead caught with a big right hand early in the second round that sent him to the canvas.
He rose but was unable to throw back. Instead, he took cover on the ropes under a flurry of punches and was stopped by the referee.
Speaking to talkSPORT Boxing, British heavyweight Allen was honest as ever in his assessment of Benn’s options going forward, seeing very few places for him to go.
“Benn’s got to look forward now. If he stays at 147, I can’t see him beating the champions. Would he beat Jack Catterall, Conah Walker? I don’t think so.
“If he goes down to British title level he can get his money and divide it by 50 or 100 to fight Constantin Ursu and I’m not sure I fancy him near Constantin Ursu. He goes up to 154 he ain’t going near Boots Ennis or Xander Zayas. Does the Josh Kelly fight sell? I believe it does, I’d have gone after Josh Kelly if I was Conor Benn.
“He goes up to 160 or 168; he ain’t anywhere near big enough. Imagine him boxing Hamzah Sheeraz? So I think he’s in a difficult situation.
“At the same time he’s made 20, 30, 40 million quid. He’s made more money than anyone in British boxing in the last couple of years apart from heavyweights.
“I think he’s done amazing; he’s sold himself well, he’s trained his b*****ks off, you can’t knock him in the slightest. I just don’t think he’s good enough to be a world champion.”
One further option for Benn that he had suggested before the fight with Garcia was moving back up to 168lbs for a third and final deciding battle with his old generational rival Eubank Jr, who many think was weight-drained in their second fight in November 2025.
