Conor Benn likely to return after Ryan Garcia knockout, says trainer Tony Sims

Conor Benn's trainer, Tony Sims, believes the British welterweight will fight on after his second-round stoppage by Ryan Garcia, but says Benn first needs a rest and no plans have been agreed.

Conor Benn is expected to box again after his knockout defeat to Ryan Garcia, his trainer Tony Sims told Ring Magazine, as reported by Seconds Out. Sims said Benn would not want his career to end that way, but that he needed a rest and a chance to regroup before deciding what to do next.

Benn is taking time out after the defeat, which came earlier in September in his first fight at world level. He challenged Garcia for the WBC welterweight title and made the 147lb limit with a pound to spare, the first time he had boxed at the weight since 2022.

Dana White, who promotes Benn through Zuffa Boxing, said much the same on Friday: "His next move is he's going to spend some time with his family and take some time off," he told Sky Sports, adding that when Benn is ready, "we'll get him back in there": Dana White on Fury vs Joshua. Others are less sure. Frank Warren has suggested Benn should retire, while Eddie Hearn is open to working with Chris Eubank Jr on a third fight.

Benn started aggressively but Garcia was soon timing him. In the second round, a big right hand from Garcia put Benn down. He beat the count, but an unanswered flurry followed and the referee stepped in to stop the fight.

Sims was unsure which weight Benn would fight at next. He pointed to Benn's second fight with Eubank, at 160lb:

“We’d have to sit down and discuss it, see where he’s at. Obviously, when he fought the second Eubank fight, he looked good at 160. He’s a small 160, so I don’t know really. We’d have to sit down and wait and see.” Benn has fought Eubank twice. Eubank won the first fight, using his size and experience to contain Benn's aggression. Benn won the rematch, although many suspect Eubank was weight-drained that night, which has left the door open to a third fight.

Sims said he did not know whether Benn would want it: “I don’t even really know if Conor would be up for the fight really. It isn’t something we’ve discussed at the moment.”

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