Conor Benn has reiterated his desire to challenge WBC welterweight champion Ryan Garcia.
Benn, who has not boxed at 147lbs for several years, is the WBC’s No. 1 at the weight and it looked as though he was a lock to fight Garcia later this year.
But with the apparent issues between Golden Boy/DAZN, who represent Garcia, and Benn’s Zuffa Boxing backers, the proposed match is losing steam.
Speaking at a TKO event in Washington DC, Benn said he was sorry to be missing the induction of his father, Nigel, into the International Boxing Hall of Fame on Sunday, but that he was pleased to be in DC, where he will watch the UFC event on the White House lawn.
“The goal for me is to get the WBC world title,” said Benn. “It’s a belt I’ve dreamed of achieving since I was a kid. It’s the belt my dad won, and Ryan, I’m taking it and there’s nothing you can do about it.”
Benn was then asked when the fight might happen.
The Essex man is 25-1 (14 KOs) and last boxed winning a decision over Regis Prograis in April.
Now 29, Benn said: “When am I fighting Garcia? When he fights his pen and whenever he comes out from wherever he’s hiding… He can get the smoke no problem. He’s getting smashed to pieces whenever he signs the contract.”
Garcia is 25-2 (20 KOs) and is yet to defend the title he won against Mario Barrios in February.