Conor Benn eyeing Mario Barrios vs Ryan Garcia winner for next fight, Eddie Hearn reveals

January 12, 2026

The Destroyer, 29, is set on returning to 147lbs in 2026 after avenging his April 2025 defeat to Chris Eubank Jr., 36, at then end of last year, with a WBC title opportunity now firmly in his sights.

Speaking to Matchroom Boxing, Hearn said: “We should only wait if we are guaranteed that fight and we won’t know for a while, because that fight hasn’t even taken place yet, if we are guaranteed that fight. So, we are doing the work behind the scenes.”

Hearn made clear that a Benn clash with Garcia, 27, would be one of the biggest events the sport could make.

He said: “Ryan Garcia against Conor Benn – arguably the biggest fight in boxing. We would take 15,000 [fans] to Las Vegas for that fight; Conor would sell out a stadium with Ryan.”

Barrios, 30, the reigning WBC welterweight champion, is due to face The Flash on February 21 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, although details for the bout are still awaiting official confirmation.

Hearn said he believed Garcia will come through that test.

He noted: “Ryan is a huge name, but he has got to beat Barrios first and I believe that he will.”

The Matchroom boss also outlined the preferred timeline for Benn’s return, stressing he does not want his fighter inactive.

He said: “I’m not having him sitting around waiting. You know what he is like, he is back in the gym already, he is looking phenomenal.

“He is not going to want to wait until July/August to fight, we need to fight May/June at the absolute latest, if we are guaranteed that fight. If not, we will go earlier.”

Hearn has expanded on those plans when speaking to talkSPORT, revealing Saudi boxing chief Turki Alalshikh wants Benn to face Garcia on the Cinco de Mayo weekend in Las Vegas in May 2026.

He said: “Barrios is the one he targeted for a long time, he is obsessed with that WBC belt. So it was great news for him yesterday and Ryan Garcia is the big name and big draw.

“Turki Alalshikh has announced that he wants to see Conor fight Ryan Garcia on Cinco De Mayo in Las Vegas. It would be huge, the Brits would travel out and he’d get his shot at the world title in Las Vegas.”