Conor Benn targets Garcia in the first Zuffa fight

Garcia’s recent WBC welterweight title win over Mario Barrios makes him the most visible option. Benn was blunt in his assessment of that performance.

“I can’t say I was impressed,” Benn told Sky Sports about Ryan’s win. “I’m no Barrios. I’ll give him hell in there.”

Garcia’s timeline for a return remains unclear, and Benn has indicated he wants to remain active if that fight can’t be concluded quickly. He mentioned Stevenson, Haney and even Rolly Romero as realistic alternatives, indicating his intention is to compete at the top end of the division rather than circle outside of it.

These are not simple battles to make. Stevenson and Haney have their own promotional structures, and Garcia’s next move will be carefully managed after his title win. Zuffa’s entry into boxing introduces a new dynamic into that equation. Whether this leads to easier negotiations or further resistance will be one of the early tests of Dana White’s influence in the sport.

Benn has ruled out fights with Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao, describing both as too far from their prime to suit his goals. A fight with Jake Paul has been acknowledged as a possibility in the future, but not part of his immediate plan.

The only bout outside of welterweight that Benn continues to refer to is Chris Eubank Jr. Their scheduled 2022 grudge match fell through and remains unfinished business. Benn said he would move up to 168lbs if necessary to remove any debate about weight should a third attempt be made.

“My goal is still to get the world title,” Benn said.

The ambition is clear. The question now is whether those shouts yield a true championship fight under the Zuffa banner or remain statements made at the start of a new promotional chapter.