TLDR
- Conor Benn signed a multi-fight deal with Zuffa Boxing after leaving Matchroom Boxing
- Trainer Tony Sims says Ryan Garcia fight at 147lbs is next as Benn is WBC mandatory challenger
- Sims defended Benn’s performance against Regis Prograis, citing only six weeks notice and southpaw challenge
- Benn weighed 149.5lbs for Prograis and will have time to make 147lbs championship limit
- Garcia must either face Benn or vacate the WBC welterweight title
Sources: boxingscene.com | skysports.com
Conor Benn’s trainer Tony Sims says a fight with Ryan Garcia for the WBC welterweight title is next, dismissing concerns about his fighter making 147lbs. Benn recently signed a multi-fight, multi-year deal with Zuffa Boxing after leaving Matchroom Boxing.
Benn defeated Regis Prograis by decision on April 17, improving his record to 25-1 with 14 knockouts. The fight took place at 150lbs, but Benn remains the number one contender for Garcia’s WBC title at 147lbs.
The 29-year-old Benn faced criticism for his performance against Prograis, who announced his retirement after the bout. Many observers felt Benn should have knocked out the aging former champion, who is now 30-4.
Dana White is down to make Conor Benn vs Ryan Garcia next 👀
Conor just signed a 5-fight deal with Zuffa
(via @FirstTake) pic.twitter.com/kKrmri2jDS
— Happy Punch (@HappyPunch) April 17, 2026
Trainer Defends Short Notice Preparation
Sims defended his fighter’s performance, pointing to the challenging circumstances of the fight. He told BoxingScene that Benn received only six weeks notice for the Prograis bout.
“Got Prograis just chucked at us. That was the fight,” Sims said. “Got to get the weight off and fight a southpaw, who by the way, is a good southpaw as well.”
Sims noted that Benn had only fought one southpaw before in his career, Chris van Heerden, roughly four years ago. He said the limited preparation time for facing a left-handed fighter made the contest particularly difficult.
“I knew it was always going to be a tricky fight. It was a fight I would never have picked in a million years,” Sims explained. He added that Prograis had been a two-time world champion who had never been stopped in his career.
The trainer also pushed back against criticism that Benn hasn’t knocked anyone out in his last four fights. Sims pointed out that two of those fights were against Chris Eubank Jr at middleweight, where Benn scored two knockdowns, and the other two were at super welterweight, above his natural weight class.
Garcia Fight at 147lbs Confirmed as Next
When asked about the welterweight limit, Sims expressed confidence in Benn’s ability to make the championship weight. Benn weighed 149.5lbs for the Prograis fight despite the six-week turnaround.
“It’s going to be Garcia next, isn’t it? He’s mandatory for that title,” Sims said. “I don’t think Garcia can get out of it unless he vacates.”
The trainer said Benn will have plenty of time to lose the additional two pounds for the welterweight limit. He dismissed concerns raised by former promoter Eddie Hearn, who suggested Benn might be more effective at 160lbs.
Sims stayed out of the promotional changes surrounding Benn’s career. He said he simply focuses on training his fighter regardless of which promotion they work with.
“It’s nothing to do with me, none of that, is it?” Sims said. “I was just training him. I ain’t got involved in none of it.”
Benn continues to train with Sims at the Matchroom gym despite signing with Zuffa Boxing. The WBC has Benn listed as the mandatory challenger for Garcia’s welterweight title, meaning Garcia must either face him or give up the belt.
