Despite verbally sparring with Shakur Stevenson, 28, after Fearless’ victorious fight over Teofimo Lopez, also 28, last Saturday (31.01.26), The Destroyer, 29, is targetting Rolly’s, 30, WBA belt, or the WBC title - which either will be retained by El Azteca, 30, or claimed by The Flash, 27, in their bout on February 21, 2026.
Speaking about a potential clash with Benn and Stevenson, Matchroom Boxing boss Frank Smith told talkSPORT: “I don't think it's the favourite fight right now. I think Conor wants to win a 147-pound world title.
“He's got a Rolly Romero opportunity that we're working on.
“He's got the Ryan Garcia against Mario Barios winner - he’s mandatory for the WBC world title — and he’s always wanted to win that WBC belt.
“Look at the position Conor Benn is in, though. He's got Shakur Stevenson, a four-weight champion of the world, calling him out. That’s what Conor does.”
Smith added “anything is possible” and pointed to Benn’s two fights with Chris Eubank Jr., 36, which ultimately resulted in The Destroyer emerging from the ring victorious.
The Matchroom CEO continued: “There's so many fights we've said over the years, ‘We're not going to see that one happen.’ Originally, Eubank Jr and Benn.
“Who would have said all those years ago that Conor Benn would fight Chris Eubank Jr? It happened twice.”
Despite the noise around Benn’s next opponent, The Destroyer’s trainer Tony Sims recently admitted his clash with Garcia may not happen due to time constraints.
Sims said of Benn: “He’s mandatory for the winner of that fight, so he’s in a good position.
“It depends on how big the turnaround is. February 21 is the week before March, and I know Conor would like to box in April, but that’s only eight or nine weeks after his [Garcia’s] fight.”
Sims questioned whether Garcia would be ready to return so quickly if he defeats Barrios, or whether Benn would need an interim outing instead.
He said: “So I just don’t see Garcia fighting that quickly, or if Conor will fight in the interim. We’ve got to see who wins that first.
“Garcia was a big favourite against Rolly Romero, and we know what happened with that. So we will see how it plays out and get something on the back burner to keep him busy.”
