Context:

Conor Benn is actively exploring his next fighting opponent, indicating his preference for a match with Ryan Garcia if a rematch with Chris Eubank Jr does not materialize. Benn plans to return to the 147-pound weight class, where he feels most effective, having struggled to finish Eubank Jr at higher weight classes. Ryan Garcia recently suffered his second professional defeat to Rolly Romero, continuing a string of losses that have diminished his standing in the boxing world. Both fighters have controversial pasts involving positive tests for performance-enhancing drugs, which have affected their reputations among fans. Despite the potential appeal of a Benn-Garcia matchup, there is likely to be significant backlash from the boxing community due to their histories of controversy.

Dive Deeper:

• Conor Benn has expressed his intention to face Ryan Garcia if a rematch with Chris Eubank Jr fails, emphasizing his desire to compete at 147 pounds, where he believes he can deliver his most devastating performances.

• Benn struggled to finish off Eubank Jr at the higher weight of 160 pounds despite having him hurt several times, and he is confident in his ability to secure knockouts at the lighter weight class.

• Ryan Garcia, known as 'KingRy', has been experiencing a downturn in his career, having lost three of his last four fights, with his recent defeat coming at the hands of Rolly Romero.

• Garcia's career has been marred by a knockout loss to Gervonta Davis and a controversial No Contest following a positive drug test after his initial win over Devin Haney.

• Conor Benn's career has also been clouded by controversy, as he faced a suspension for testing positive for PEDS, which led to the cancellation of his initial fight with Eubank Jr, although he was eventually cleared.

• Chris Eubank Jr, after a hard-fought 12-round match with Benn, declined to shake hands, citing unresolved issues regarding Benn's drug test controversy and lack of accountability.

• A potential match between Benn and Garcia is seen as a significant event in boxing, yet it is anticipated to draw protests from fans due to the fighters' controversial pasts with performance-enhancing drugs.

• Conor Benn has revealed the opponent he's eyeing next if a rematch with Chris Eubank Jr fails to come to fruition, "If it's not Eubank next, it's [Ryan] Garcia next.

• "I'll drop back down to 147lbs and go straight back in. At 147lbs, that's where I'm the most dangerous. That's where you see the clinical knockouts.

• "The 154s, the 160s, seem to absorb the shots better. No doubt I had Eubank hurt at 160lbs four or five times in the fight.

• "I just couldn't get the finish, I just couldn't pull the trigger. At 147lbs, it's a different ball game."

• "KingRy" fought just last weekend and lost for a second time in his nine-year professional career.

• The 26-year-old from California was dropped in the second round by Rolly Romero and outpointed unanimously on all three scorecards after 12-rounds.

• It means Garcia has only won one from his last four fights, with a seventh-round KO defeat to Gervonta Davis in 2023, a No Contest after testing positive for PEDS after his initial victory over Devin Haney in 2024, and now this latest loss in May 2025 to Rolly puts his stock at an all-time low.

• Briton Benn has also been subjected to suspensions after he tested positive for PEDS in October 2022 on fight week, cancelling his initial bout with Chris Eubank Jr. He fought the case for over a year and was eventually cleared, but his reputation with fight fans remains divided.

• Even after respect was shared between Eubank and Benn after their 12-round war, the victor from Brighton refused to shake his opponent's hand afterwards, “In my mind, this kid is still a drugs cheat,” Eubank Jr explained.

• “He still tried to cheat before our first fight, and never owned up to it. I can’t forgive that until there is some accountability.”

• A fight between Conor Benn and Ryan Garcia may be a big event, yet there will inevitably be protests from fight fans over their storied pasts.