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Conor Benn is back in the Zuffa fold. After parting ways with long-time promoter Matchroom Boxing for a one-fight deal that saw him defeat Regis Prograis in April, Benn has now inked a long-term agreement with Zuffa Boxing. This contract is expected to cover a significant portion of the 29-year-old's remaining prime years.
Benn, boasting a record of 25 wins, 1 loss, and 14 knockouts, is a welterweight from Essex, England, and the son of two-division world champion Nigel Benn. On Friday, Zuffa Boxing announced on social media that he had signed a five-fight deal.
“Our visions aligned,” Conor Benn stated regarding the new promotional partnership. “Our goal remains the same – to win that world title, but more importantly, to give the people the fights they want. To give them mega-fights. If you, the fans, want it, you’ll get it.”
Public details regarding the contract and immediate plans for Benn were limited. However, during a joint appearance with Benn on ESPN’s “First Take” on Friday, Zuffa Boxing CEO and President Dana White described the deal as a “two-and-a-half-year, five-fight deal.”
“We’re ready to make big fights happen,” Dana White said in a video message announcing Benn’s deal on Zuffa Boxing’s social media.
“Of course, the priority is to make the Garcia fight happen,” Benn told Sky Sports in an interview on Friday. “But, listen, I’m not short of options. There are plenty of fighters calling me out, big names calling me out. So, God willing, we get the Garcia fight for the WBC world title. You know, I’m the mandatory challenger now – I’m number one for that belt, and I’ve worked extremely hard to get here. But again, if Ryan doesn’t want it, there are plenty of fish in the sea.”
Benn may already be “fishing” when it comes to Garcia, who holds a 25-2 record with 20 knockouts. Garcia is affiliated with Golden Boy Promotions, whose CEO and Chairman Oscar De La Hoya has frequently clashed with White. Nevertheless, reports suggest that negotiations for a bout are at an advanced stage, but could face issues related to sanctioning bodies.
As part of his UFC-style vision, White has aimed to build Zuffa as an independent ecosystem, largely bypassing boxing's four major sanctioning bodies. However, White appears to be trying to have it both ways, with Zuffa's tactics leading to Jai Opetaia being stripped of his IBF cruiserweight title after his March victory over Brandon Glanton serving as a prime example.
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