Conor Benn will challenge Ryan Garcia for the WBC welterweight title in Las Vegas on September 12.
WBC champion Garcia is one of the most high-profile fighters in the sport and has engaged in regular wars of words with Benn in recent months.
Last year Benn rose to middleweight to settle his feud with Chris Eubank Jr, the son of his father Nigel Benn’s great rival Chris Eubank Sr.
Benn suffered the first defeat of his professional career when Eubank Jr outpointed him in their first fight at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium but got his revenge in a November rematch when he dropped Eubank twice before winning a decision on the cards.
Working his way back towards welterweight, Benn defeated Regis Prograis on the undercard of Tyson Fury’s comeback bout at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in April.
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Benn would pull off one of the biggest wins in British boxing history if he beats Garcia, says trainer Tony Sims
Since then Benn has targeted Garcia. “I have just one goal and that is get the world title,” Benn previously told Sky Sports.
“Ultimately, I’m in a position now where I’m really comfortable in life, but the work has become more relentless. The work has become more purposeful. There’s more intent behind the work, and it’s hard to say that considering I’ve always worked hard.”
He wants to emulate his father, a legend of British boxing, by winning the WBC belt.
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Garcia revealed earlier this year that his first WBC title defence would be against Benn
“He won that world title so for me it’s my goal to win that world title,” he said.
Garcia suffered an upset loss to Rolando Romero, the WBA world champion, last year but bounced back to drop and outpoint Mario Barrios in February to claim the WBC 147lb belt.
Reacting to the announcement of the fight, Garcia said: “This one is for Mexico and the UK. Both want his a** clipped. Clout demon will be slayed”.
