Boxing Feb 11, 2026

Conor Benn 'in touching distance' of becoming WBC world champion - title fight vs Ryan Garcia or Mario Barrios awaits

👤
By Admin
Sports Journalist
Conor Benn 'in touching distance' of becoming WBC world champion - title fight vs Ryan Garcia or Mario Barrios awaits

Conor Benn believes he is within 'touching distance' of the WBC welterweight title, and is ready to fight the winner of Mario Barrios against Ryan Garcia.

Benn has been confirmed as the mandatory challenger for the WBC belt, which is currently held by Barrios, who will firstly defend his title against Garcia in Las Vegas on February 21.

After his rematch win over Eubank Jr at middleweight in November, Benn has moved down in weight to achieve his long-term ambition of holding a world title.

"Listen, I said I would be WBC champion, it was always the dream, so to be within touching distance and be made mandatory for the WBC world title, I'll be there ring side and I want the winner," Benn told Your Site.

"No doubt it will be Garcia. Garcia vs Benn - I like the sound of that."

Fellow Brit Dalton Smith was crowned as the new WBC super-lightweight champion after a dramatic fifth round stoppage of Subriel Matias in Brooklyn last weekend.

Benn would relish the opportunity to challenge for a world title on American soil, but also believes he would draw a huge crowd to a UK venue if he receives home advantage.

"There's something great about what Dalton Smith did, so I'd love to do it in Las Vegas but I feel like I'll bring it here to the UK for the supporters.

"Another stadium fight sounds good, doesn't it?"

Tony Sims, Conor Benn's trainer, told Your Site:

"We're hoping it's Ryan Garcia next. Obviously the fight with Barrios is on February 21 and Conor is mandatory.

"Provided Garcia comes through then Conor would be looking to fight him."

Tags:

boxing news

Share this article

Related Posts

Katie Taylor: Irish boxing icon to retire after final fight this summer and hopeful farewell will take place at Croke Park

Katie Taylor: Irish boxing icon to retire after final fight this summer and hopeful farewell will take place at Croke Park

Katie Taylor has announced she plans to retire following a summer fight in Dublin.Taylor, 39, retained her undisputed world super lightweight title af...

Fabio Wardley to offer Tyson Fury a shot at his WBO world heavyweight championship if he retains against Daniel Dubois

Fabio Wardley to offer Tyson Fury a shot at his WBO world heavyweight championship if he retains against Daniel Dubois

Fabio Wardley has called for a heavyweight showdown with Tyson Fury before the end of the year, as long as he makes a successful defence of the WBO wo...

Fabio Wardley to offer Tyson Fury a shot at his WBO world heavyweight championship if he retains against Daniel Dubois

Fabio Wardley to offer Tyson Fury a shot at his WBO world heavyweight championship if he retains against Daniel Dubois

Fabio Wardley has called for a heavyweight showdown with Tyson Fury before the end of the year, as long as he makes a successful defence of the WBO wo...

Katie Taylor: Irish boxing icon to retire after final fight this summer and hopeful farewell will take place at Croke Park

Katie Taylor: Irish boxing icon to retire after final fight this summer and hopeful farewell will take place at Croke Park

Katie Taylor has announced she plans to retire following a summer fight in Dublin.Taylor, 39, retained her undisputed world super lightweight title af...

Conor Benn decision to join Dana White and Zuffa Boxing will 'really hurt' Eddie Hearn, says Jonny Nelson

Conor Benn decision to join Dana White and Zuffa Boxing will 'really hurt' Eddie Hearn, says Jonny Nelson

Conor Benn’s decision to join Dana White’s Zuffa Boxing will have "really hurt" promoter Eddie Hearn but it’s a "business move", says Your Site expert...

Claressa Shields is pound-for-pound No 1 in world over Katie Taylor in woman's boxing, says promoter

Claressa Shields is pound-for-pound No 1 in world over Katie Taylor in woman's boxing, says promoter

Claressa Shields deserves to be recognised as the No 1 fighter in woman's boxing ahead of Katie Taylor, believes promoter Dmitriy Salita. Shields just...