Promoter Eddie Hearn says he is waiting for clarity on whether the winner of Mario Barrios vs. Ryan Garcia will be required to face Conor Benn next.
Barrios and Garcia are scheduled to fight on February 21, 2026, with the World Boxing Council welterweight title expected to be on the line. Benn is the WBC mandatory challenger, and Hearn said his preference is for Benn to receive the title fight immediately following that bout.
If that assurance is not in place, Hearn said he does not want Benn inactive while the division resolves itself. Benn last fought in November, and Hearn said an extended wait without a confirmed outcome would not be practical as Benn approaches his 30th birthday later this year.
“Everybody is calling Conor Benn out,” Hearn said in comments posted by Matchroom Boxing. “We should only wait if we’re guaranteed that fight.”
Hearn said discussions are ongoing behind the scenes, but acknowledged that no decision can be made until the Barrios-Garcia bout takes place. He added that Garcia versus Benn would be a major commercial event if Garcia were to come through.
Hearn also noted that other fighters have expressed interest in facing Benn. Among them is Shakur Stevenson, who has said he would pursue Benn if successful against Teofimo Lopez later this month. Despite the outside interest, Hearn said Benn’s priority remains a WBC title opportunity.
According to Hearn, Benn has already returned to training and is preparing for the possibility of an interim bout if no guarantee is received. He said Benn would prefer to fight no later than May or June if the title shot is secured, but would move earlier if needed.
“He’s not going to sit around waiting,” Hearn said. “He wants the WBC world title, and it’s our job to try to make that happen.”
The situation is simple. Either the title path is clear, or Benn fights while it isn’t.
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Last Updated on 01/08/2026
