Conor Benn is left weighing his options after a heavy stoppage loss to Ryan Garcia in Las Vegas.
Benn had hoped to emulate his legendary father, Nigel, and capture a world title when he challenged Garcia for the WBC belt at the T‑Mobile Arena.
Garcia, a top‑tier fighter, delivered a crushing defeat, dropping and stopping Benn in the second round.
The British boxer must now rebuild.
“Everybody keeps asking: ‘What’s next for Conor Benn?’” he said on social media. “The truth is, I don’t have the answer.”
Conor Benn with Ryan Garcia after their contest in Las Vegas (Photos: Zuffa Boxing)
“If you had asked the 19‑year‑old version of me whether I imagined I’d be standing here a decade later, having lived through everything I have, I would have told you you were crazy.”
“I train hard. I make sacrifices. I have given this sport 110 percent every time I step through the ropes, aiming to deliver unforgettable nights and entertain the crowd.”
“That has always been the purpose of what I do.”
“Fans spend their hard‑earned money to watch fighters like us. I never take that for granted. I have always wanted to serve the public and give everything I have when it matters.”
All signs point to him taking time to rest and recover before deciding on a return.
“Giving everything comes at a cost,” he continued. “The people who have borne that cost more than anyone are my family and my children.”
“They have given up time with their dad so I could chase this dream. They have shared me with this sport their entire lives.”
“So when people ask me what’s next for Conor Benn, right now the answer is simple.”
“Time with my kids.”
He added: “Thank you to the fight fans. Those who travelled to Vegas and those who stayed up into the early hours. I will never take your support for granted, especially on nights when things don’t go as planned.”
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Highlights from the rematch between Conor Benn and Chris Eubank Jr at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Pictures courtesy of DAZN.
What lies ahead for Benn?
At only 29 years old, Benn may take a break from boxing, but a return to the ring is expected.
The Garcia bout marked his first welterweight appearance in over four years. After two middleweight contests with Chris Eubank Jr, dropping back to 147 lbs was a significant shift.
All indications suggest Benn will look to move back up in weight, possibly skipping the 154‑lb division and aiming for a middleweight comeback.
Several title holders at 160 lbs—such as IBF champion Aaron McKenna and WBO titleholder Denzel Bentley—could welcome a fight with Benn if he earns a ranking.
He might even consider moving higher, despite being undersized for middleweight or super‑middleweight. A trilogy bout with Eubank Jr at 168 lbs could make sense; it would spare Eubank the punishing weight cut he endured at middleweight with a rehydration clause, and the rivals are currently tied 1‑1 in their series.
Although Benn’s Las Vegas experience ended in a decisive defeat to Garcia, viable options remain for him whenever he decides to return.