“They didn’t want it to happen,” Garcia told the media when asked about Benn. “Like De La Hoya said, Conor Benn probably wasn’t going to work because he signed with Zuffa. We’ll have to see, man.”
The situation with Conor Benn is complex now that he has officially signed a multi-fight deal with Zuffa Boxing. If Dana White wants a “league” model, he will want to protect his assets.
“August. August,” Ryan said, about when he plans to fight next. “It’s going to be August, guys.”
Ryan was on social media immediately after that fight, calling Benn “food.” Many analysts cite Ryan’s sudden eagerness to fight Benn vulture behavior. He sees a vulnerable name with a huge following in the UK and wants to track down the win while Benn looks human.
“Devin Haney never wanted. He doesn’t want the rematch at all,” Garcia said.
In boxing, “he doesn’t want the fight” is often code for “the check isn’t big enough yet.” Ryan calling out Haney for “duck” as they argue about a 50-50 split is classic A-side posturing.
Haney’s camp floated a Sept. 5 date at Allegiant Stadium, but Ryan is adamant about being the A-side. The wallet can hold up this fight.
With Benn being the WBC #1 Mandatory and Ryan holding the WBC belt, the sanctioning body can actually force the issue regardless of what the promoters whisper to the media.
If Benn and Haney are truly out, here are the most likely names currently in the mix: Teofimo Lopez is the strategic choice. This is the name gaining the most steam for August. Ryan has publicly stated that Teofimo is his “most realistic option”.
Teofimo recently lost a lopsided decision to Shakur Stevenson and is looking for a massive payday to bounce back. Ryan wants to be the first of the “New Four Kings” to share the ring with everyone else (Gervonta Davis, Haney and Lopez). It’s a major legacy and business move that sidesteps the A-side bickering he had with Haney.
We can’t count out a rematch with Rolly Romero. Last May, Rolly pulled off a massive upset against Ryan in 2025 in Times Square. Now that Ryan is a world champion again, he may want to avenge that loss and unify belts or simply erase the poor link stigma attached to that loss.
If I had to put money on it, Teofimo Lopez seems the most logical choice for August. It’s a big name, high reward, and Teofimo is in a position right now where he needs the fight just as much as Ryan.
