What next for Conor Benn? Five potential options as rebuild begins
Conor Benn’s attempt to win the world welterweight title went just about as badly as possible Saturday night.
And while Ryan Garcia, who closed the show midway through the second round at T-Mobile Arena, can look ahead to further lucrative defenses of his WBC title, it is back to the drawing board for Benn.
After already ruling out another fight at 147 pounds, the 29-year-old from Essex will now look to rebuild his career as a heavier fighter. As one of the biggest names on the UK scene, there will be no shortage of matchups for him. In no particular order, we take a look at five potential options across two weight divisions.
Josh Kelly (19-1-1, 9 KOs)
Benn said his descent to 147 felt like a meeting with the devil himself and, as a result, the chances of him even bothering with 154 pounds again would be slim, too.
However, there is one big, long-discussed British blockbuster on the horizon that might just tempt him. Kelly, the IBF junior middleweight champion, appears to be heading towards a three-belt unification clash with WBO, WBA and The Ring's No. 1-rated player Jaron Ennis, which would likely tie him up for the rest of the year.
But, should Kelly lose that fight, Benn would emerge as a very good option for both in 2027.
Aaron McKenna (21-0, 10 KOs)
Does Benn deserve a shot at the world middleweight title after being taken out inside two at welterweight? No.
But this is boxing, where money talks and just about anything else walks. McKenna, the IBF champion, would be more than open to the profile and money he would get from putting his title on the line against Benn. The Irishman won his title on a Zuffa show in Dublin on August 8 so this would not be a difficult fight to make.
Shane Mosley Jr. (23-5, 13 KOs)
On the subject of Zuffa, to which Benn remains signed, Mosley, 35, topped its card at Meta Apex on May 10 and scored a career-best win by stopping Serhii Bohachuk in six. He has not boxed since and would represent an opportunity for Benn to jump straight up to middleweight, as he craves.
It would also help him further build on the stateside profile garnered through his fight with Garcia and he would fancy himself to win. What’s more, their two famous dads could be wheeled out throughout the promotion for some nostalgic stardust.
Liam Smith (33-5-1, 20 KOs)
While this one might not have the same commercial appeal as Garcia in Las Vegas, Smith, 38, would give Benn the chance to get back on the horse against a well-known name from the domestic scene.
Smith, a former world champion and tremendous servant to British boxing across his 18 years as a pro, is coming off defeats to Chris Eubank Jr. and McKenna himself. Even so, he would fancy his chances of knowing too much for Benn if he could get himself fully fit after some injury troubles. It would also sell out in Liverpool or London.
Chris Eubank Jr. (35-4, 25 KOs)
Whisper it quietly, but this rivalry might not be dead yet. There are rumors that talks of a third fight between Benn and Eubank have already started so don’t rule it out.
The pair are locked at 1-1 after Eubank won their first fight in April last year before Benn had his revenge in the rematch back at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium seven months later.
Weight-drained, Eubank looked a shadow of his former self in the rematch and was dropped and very nearly stopped in the final round. While appetite among British fight fans for a trilogy clash would be low, it is likely that Benn and Eubank would be keen on the chance to make the series 2-1.
After that Garcia loss, I’d probably give Benn some time off before worrying about another fight. He’s said himself that he doesn’t know what’s next and wants to spend time with his kids.