Eddie Hearn has once again given his view on how Conor Benn may get on when he fights Ryan Garcia later this year.
Benn is finally counting down to the first bell of his maiden world title fight. It has been a long time coming for the 29-year-old, who has now had 26 fights and lost just one of them.
That defeat came to his long-time rival Chris Eubank Jr back in 2025, but later the same year he avenged the loss with a wide points win.
Since then, he has also beaten former world champion Regis Prograis, and soon after began calling out WBC welterweight ruler Garcia, who he will now face in Las Vegas on September 12.
Speaking to KO Artist Sports, Hearn cast doubt on Benn’s ability back down at welterweight.
“It’s an exciting fight for boxing. I don’t like Conor at 147, I don’t believe he should be fighting down there. He had those two fights with Eubank at 160. I’m not saying he’s a middleweight, he fought Regis Prograis at 150. He looked terrible in that fight. 147 is brutal for him now.
“He trains so hard, but I don’t think he has power down there. I don’t think he’ll have the chin down there, and Ryan’s a world-class fighter. Sometimes he has his off nights, but he’s very sharp and is a big puncher. But it’ll be fun because Conor’s got big balls. He’ll have a right go.”
Benn spent much of his early career down at 147lbs, the welterweight limit, but moved up to 160 in order to meet Eubank at a weight that was workable for both. He is now a couple of years older, so weight cutting will be even more brutal than before, and could have a huge bearing on this contest.
