Conor Benn woke up May 7 and send a targeted video message to the WBC welterweight champion, Ryan Garcia.
It’s not the first time the Zuffa Boxing star has made it clear it’s the Californian fighter whom he most wants to fight next, having returned to the ring earlier this year with a win against the near-retiree Regis Prograis at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium — the London site of his two historic fights with generational rival Chris Eubank Jr., last year.
“Morning graft,” he began in his message. “Attack the days, make the days count. Remember, hard work beats talent when talent don’t work hard.”
Garcia, 27, is one of the most popular prizefighters in the entire sport despite erratic form in his last five appearances in the ring. It began with a seventh-round knockout loss to Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis — the last, best-selling fight in boxing with 1.2 million sales at the box office. Continued with a rebound knockout of Oscar Duarte and a complete manhandling of Devin Haney, albeit a result that was later turned to a No Contest after Garcia failed a drug test. He then lost to Rolando Romero, but beat Mario Barrios, this year.
“Keep that belt warm for me,” Benn told Garcia. “We’re coming for you, boy. And what?”
Watch his latest call-out right here:
Whether the fight can be made remains to be seen considering Benn’s alliance with Zuffa, which involves UFC boss Dana White, and Garcia’s relationship with Golden Boy Promotions and its founder Oscar de la Hoya, who has had his share of run-ins with White.
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Alan Dawson is Boxing Social’s editor.
He is also a columnist for Uncrowned at Yahoo Sports, and the founder-moderator of Boxing Twitter — a 20,000-strong community on X.
A 17-year sports media veteran, Alan has enjoyed extensive stints at Business Insider as a correspondent, BT Sport as digital editor, and Give Me Sport as combat sports editor.
He is a 2-time Sports Journalist of the Year finalist and has been honored six times by the Boxing Writers Association of America.
Alan grew up near London but is based in Nevada with his young family. Outside boxing he plays 8-handicap golf, hikes, and rides his ebike through the Sierra mountain trails.
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