Conor Benn Can’t Win Against Ryan Garcia, Says Eddie Hearn

Conor Benn (25-1, 14 KOs) is gearing up for his September showdown against Ryan Garcia (25-2, 20 KOs), but Matchroom boss Eddie Hearn isn’t very confident about how fight night would progress, especially with regard to his former ward’s progress.

Talking to Ring Magazine, Hearn admitted that he was unsure if Benn would fare well against Garcia at his weight.

“I don’t like Conor Benn at 147 pounds. We saw him at 150 for the Regis Prograis fight. He looked like he lacked power. He looked tired at the weight down there, and I think Ryan will be much too heavy-handed for him. But he’s got big balls, and he’ll have a right go. I just don’t think at 147 he can win that fight,” he said.

Hearn‘s doubts about Benn’s chances against Garcia are rooted primarily in what he believes Benn has lost at welterweight: his explosive punching power. After watching his decision win over Regis Prograis, Hearn said Benn no longer looked like the devastating puncher he had been at higher weights. He felt the punches lacked the “zip” and authority needed to trouble an elite fighter like Garcia.

Hearn admitted that before that performance he would have backed Benn to hurt Garcia, but afterward, he questioned whether he had enough firepower at 147 pounds to keep his opponent at bay. Moreover, he has also admitted that, despite no longer promoting Benn, he is fascinated to see how the business side of the event unfolds. With his former ward now aligned with Zuffa Boxing and Garcia still represented by Golden Boy Promotions, he believes the fight will be a revealing test of whether the various promotional interests can work together effectively.

“I think it’s an interesting fight. I look more sometimes at the dynamics and the politics of it all, which I think has been fascinating because obviously you got a lotta people who think they can do whatever they want, right? And disregard contracts, whether they be promotional or broadcast contracts and stuff like that,” he said.

“Bigger Fight In The UK”

The fight is scheduled to take place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. However, Hearn believes that, with Benn being a lesser-known fighter in the US, the fight should have taken place in the UK.

“I think it’s a much bigger fight in the UK than it is in the U.S. because I think more people in the UK know Ryan Garcia and Conor Benn than they do in the U.S,” said Hearn. “Everybody knows Ryan Garcia. No one really knows who Conor Benn is in the U.S. So, for DAZN to capture that fight from Sky Sports, which obviously is massive for them and for Oscar to be co-promoting is great as well.”

Joshua Ben Joseph

Joshua Ben Joseph is a Boxing writer renowned for his unparalleled coverage of live events and insightful interviews with prominent athletes in the world of combat sports. With a career spanning over several years, he has authored more than 800 articles. As an experienced editorial cartoonist and investigative journalist, Joshua has a keen eye for detail and a passion for delivering quality content. Aside from his writing, Joshua is an avid powerlifter and solo traveler, embodying the same spirit of determination and exploration that he brings to his work. With a deep love for the sport of boxing that dates back to childhood, he is committed to delivering the highest quality content and helping to build a more transparent and credible industry.

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