Two-weight world champion Paulie Malignaggi has predicted the outcome of a potential clash between Ryan Garcia and Conor Benn.
Rumours of a showdown between Garcia and Benn have been circulating over the last few months, with both fighters said to be interested in doing battle this year.
‘The Destroyer’ is expected to make the move back down to welterweight following his back-to-back middleweight showdowns with domestic rival Chris Eubank Jr.
As for Garcia, the 27-year-old from California is set to challenge reigning WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios on February 21 as he sets his sights on finally capturing world honours.
In an interview with NewBettingOffers, Malignaggi revealed that he does not believe Benn is capable of defeating Garcia as he claims the Brit’s best chance at becoming a world champion at welterweight would have been against WBC title holder Barrios.
“Against the right opponent, maybe he could have nipped the world title. I think that right opponent might have been Mario Barrios. He’s probably lost that opportunity now that Ryan Garcia is gonna win that title against Barrios. And I don’t see Benn even being able to beat Ryan Garcia.”
Shortly after Benn defeated Eubank in their rematch back in November, the 29-year-old made call-outs to a number of fighters including WBA welterweight champion Rolando ‘Rolly’ Romero, who has been linked with a showdown with Manny Pacquiao.
Despite this, Benn is expected to await the result of the upcoming clash between Garcia and Barrios with reports suggesting that he will be targeting a match-up with the winner later this year.
