Promoter Eddie Hearn says he is waiting for clarity on whether the winner of Mario Barrios vs. Ryan Garcia next faces Conor Benn.
Barrios and Garcia are scheduled to fight on February 21, 2026, with the World Boxing Council welterweight title expected to be on the line. Benn is the WBC mandatory challenger, and Hearn said his preference is for Benn to receive the title fight immediately after that fight.
If that assurance isn’t in place, Hearn said he doesn’t want Benn to be inactive while the division sorts itself out. Benn last fought in November, and Hearn said an extended wait without a confirmed result would not be practical as Benn approaches his 30th birthday later this year.
“Everybody’s calling out Conor Benn,” Hearn said in comments posted by Matchroom Boxing. “We just have to wait when we are assured of that fight.”
Hearn said discussions are going on behind the scenes, but admitted that no decision can be made until the Barrios-Garcia bout takes place. He added that Garcia vs. Benn would be a huge commercial event if Garcia came through.
Hearn also noted that other fighters have expressed interest in facing Benn. Among them is Shakur Stevenson, who has said he will pursue Benn if successful against Teofimo Lopez later this month. Despite the outside interest, Hearn said Benn’s priority remains a WBC title opportunity.
According to Hearn, Benn has already returned to training and is preparing for the possibility of an interim fight if no guarantee is received. He said Benn would prefer to fight no later than May or June if the title shot is assured, but would move earlier if necessary.
“He’s not going to sit around and wait,” Hearn said. “He wants the WBC world title, and it’s our job to try and make that happen.”
The situation is simple. Either the title path is clear, or Benn is fighting while it isn’t.
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Last updated on 01/08/2026
