Frank Smith’s recent updates on Conor Benn make it clear that while Benn occupies a mandatory spot, Matchroom operates on a curve. What started as a direct march to a belt now looks like a game of managing variables. Even with the WBC mandatory status in his pocket, Benn navigates a division where nothing is guaranteed.
Smith emphasized that the goal is still a world title at 147 pounds. He told talkSport Boxing that the team is confident that Benn can safely make the welterweight limit. The primary focus remains the WBC route, especially with the Mario Barrios and Ryan Garcia fight scheduled for February 21. As the mandatory challenger, Benn should be next in line for the winner.
However, Smith admitted they cannot bank on that path alone. He specifically noted the unpredictability of Ryan Garcia and suggested that if Garcia wins, the situation could get messy. “We know with Ryan Garcia, he can go off the radar sometimes. So, we’re not just looking at that option,” Smith.
“I believe in May or June, we’ll look to make that Romero fight,” Smith said. “I think by the end of the year you could see him in a unification fight in the welterweight division.”
This shift in strategy is why Matchroom is already eyeing the WBA belt. Smith mentioned that a fight with Rolando Romero is a very strong possibility. Instead of sitting for the WBC to sort itself out, the team is actively looking at Romero as a way to secure a title shot on their own terms.
The timeline moves quickly. Smith expects the Romero fight to take place in May or June. He even went so far as to say he sees Benn in a unification fight by the end of 2026. It’s an ambitious plan, but it also highlights how fluid the situation is right now.
Benn has the ranking and the status, but Smith’s comments show that those things only go so far. Matchroom treats flexibility as a requirement. Benn’s next step will not be determined by formal paperwork, but by which champion is actually ready to step into the ring when the time comes.
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Last updated on 02/04/2026
