Conor Benn now aims for ‘boxing’s biggest fight’

After avenging his loss to Chris Eubank Jr. in the second half of 2025, Conor Benn‘s goal for 2026 is to win a welterweight world title and the 29-year-old could fight for a belt in his next outing. Now, his targeted opponent and date have been revealed.

Benn suffered a first career defeat when he lost to Eubank Jr. in April, but a dominant display seven months later saw “The Destroyer” bounce back to level the scores against his fierce foe and emerge as one of British boxing’s biggest stars.

Despite being tied with Eubank, Benn has shown little interest in a trilogy fight with his intergenerational rival, choosing instead to return to his natural weight division of 147 pounds and attempt to get his hands on world honors.

He had been linked to a clash with WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios, but the Texan has since reportedly signed for a clash with Ryan Garcia – another name that has been on Benn’s lips.

Talk to Boxing in the match roomPromoter Eddie Hearn revealed that Benn planned to face the winner of that contest next, but explained that they would only wait on the sidelines if they were guaranteed a chance at the winner.

“We should only wait if we’re guaranteed that fight and we won’t know for a while because that fight hasn’t happened yet, if we’re guaranteed that fight. So we’re doing the work behind the scenes.

“Ryan Garcia vs Conor Benn – arguably the biggest fight in boxing. We’d take 15,000 [fans] in Las Vegas for this fight; Conor would sell a stadium with Ryan.

“Ryan is a big name, but first he has to beat Barrios and I believe he will.”

As for the timetable for Benn’s next fight, Hearn then explained that he was hoping to schedule Benn’s WBC title shot in May or June at the latest, but added that his fighter would return sooner if he was unable to get that opportunity.

“I’m not letting him wait. You know what he looks like, he’s already back in the gym, he looks phenomenal.

“He won’t want to wait until July/August to fight, we have to fight in May/June at the latest, if we’re guaranteed that fight. If not, we’ll go sooner.”

Barrios-Garcia will take place on Saturday February 21the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas is currently the preferred venue. However, official details of the event have not yet been officially confirmed. Garcia’s promoter Oscar De La Hoya says an announcement is imminent.