Conor Benn vs Ryan Garcia being eyed with target date and venue already set by Turki Alalshikh

Dec 4, 2025 - 13:15

Eddie Hearn has revealed Turki Alalshikh wants to see Ryan Garcia vs Conor Benn in May next year.

Benn has stated regularly after beating Chris Eubank Jr at 160lbs, that his ambition is to move back to 147lbs and challenge for the WBC world title.

Garcia and Benn are likely to meet next May if Alalshikh’s plan comes to fruition

The green and gold belt holds a special place in the rising star’s heart, having been won by his father Nigel in 1992 and held for four years.

It was recently announced that current WBC champion Mario Barrios will defend his title against Ryan Garcia, in a bout set to be announced for February 21 next year.

And after that news, it was subsequently confirmed Benn will be the mandatory for the winner of that bout.

Garcia, a real superstar in the sport, is being tipped as a narrow favourite to claim the title, and is open to a clash with Benn.

And in an interview on talkSPORT Breakfast, Hearn has revealed Saudi boxing chief Alalshikh wants to see Benn against Garcia as a priority.

He said: “Barrios is the one he targeted for a long time, he is obssessed with that WBC belt.

“So it was great news for him yesterday and Ryan Garcia is the big name and big draw.

“And Turki Alalshikh has announced that he wants to see Conor fight Ryan Garcia on Cinco De Mayo [May 5 weekend] 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.

“But either way, Ryan Garcia is the slight favourite and Benn get his shot either way.”

Hearn told talkSPORT that Alalshikh has already informed Benn of the plan. which depends on Garcia winning

It promises to be a big year for 2026 and if ‘King Ry’ tastes victory, a commercial blockbuster clash with ‘The Destroyer’ seems inevitable.

Ryan Garcia’s take on the huge bout with Conor Benn

Garcia hasn’t fought since suffering a tough defeat to Rolly Romero last time out in May.

But he has managed to land himself a shot back at the big time against favourable opposition in Barrios.

The champion could only muster a controversial draw with boxing legend Manny Pacquiao last time out, so Garcia will fancy his chances.

And Garcia himself, despite the mandatory call, has already opened the door to a clash with Benn.

And despite Alalshikh’s plan, he even claimed he’d be open to Benn’s backyard and fighting on British shores.

Garcia is hoping to become world champion for the first time in February

He said: “Conor Benn, for me, he still fights like an amateur in a way.

“His style just is made for me, is how I see it. And Conor, he wants a big fight in the US and he wants a big US name.

“He could come get it any time he wants. I would love to fight in the UK, possibly, and have the UK fans sing ‘Sweet Caroline’ while he walks in and go home crying.”