Ryan Garcia vs Conor Benn – Eddie Hearn weighs in

2026 is here, and the fights will soon be coming thick and fast, with intriguing fights between Teofimo Lopez and Shakur Stevenson, and the return of Moses Itauma against the tough American Jermaine Franklin. When speaking to the Matchroom Boxing social media team, Eddie Hearn has now described Ryan Garcia vs Conor Benn as “arguably the biggest fight in boxing.”

Ryan Garcia vs Conor Benn – troubles for both

Garcia (24-2, 20 KOs) has had his much-publicised problems inside and outside of the ring. Garcia was on top of the world when he defeated Devin Haney on April 20, 2024. The glory of this win did not last long, with Dan Rafael revealing that Garcia failed a VADA pre-fight and post-fight drug test, with Ostarine found in his urine.

He was subsequently fined $10,000, forced to forfeit his purse, and handed a 12-month ban, which expired in April 2025, allowing “Kingry” to face Rolly Romero. The win over Haney was also declared a no-contest. A disappointing performance followed, with Romero beating Garcia by unanimous decision, 115-112 x2, and 118-109. Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix reported that Garcia had sustained a hand injury in training before the Romero fight and had surgery soon after the loss.

Benn (24-1, 14 KOs) had had a rollercoaster career, eviscerating most opponents, before testing positive twice for the fertility drug clomifene in the build-up to his planned 2022 fight against Chris Eubank Jr. On November 6, 2024, Benn released a statement via his X account, claiming he had been cleared following his two positive tests for the fertility drug clomifene. 

UKAD did not appeal the decision of the National Anti-Doping Panel, which ruled UKAD had not “proved that Mr Benn had committed an Anti-Doping Rule Violation for the Use of clomifene.”

Benn subsequently returned to action in 2025, having two memorable fights with Chris Eubank Jr, losing the first, but dominating his fierce rival in the second fight. Benn now looks set for a big 2026.

Ryan Garcia vs Conor Benn – Eddie Hearn has his say

Talking to the Matchroom Boxing team, Hearn discussed the magnitude of a potential Ryan Garcia vs Conor Benn bout:

“Ryan Garcia vs Conor Benn, arguably the biggest fight in boxing. I mean, we would take 15,000 to Las Vegas for that fight. Conor would sell out a stadium with Ryan. Ryan’s a huge name. He’s got to beat Barrios first. I believe he will. 

“That’s a monster, monster fight, but we got to worry about Conor Benn and Conor Benn only. And I’m not having him sitting around waiting. You know what he’s like? He’s back in the gym already. He’s looking phenomenal. He’s not going to want to wait until July or August to fight.

“We need to fight May, June at the absolute latest if we’re guaranteed that fight. If not, we’ll go earlier.”