Conor Benn has signed, Ryan Garcia has issues to work out with DAZN and Golden Boy

Conor Benn’s manager Keith Connolly has confirmed that his man’s side of the deal is done for a bout with WBC welterweight champion Ryan Garcia.

Garcia had announced that the fight was done and dusted for September 12 in Las Vegas during an interview with Jimmy Fallon. Garcia’s promoter, Oscar De La Hoya of Golden Boy, then claimed that he had been left out of negotiations and that he would have to be involved for the fight to take place.

Benn is signed with Dana White’s Zuffa Boxing, who have made their stance clear that they do not wish to work with other promoters. Zuffa has a broadcast deal with Paramount and Sky Sports, while Golden Boy is exclusive to DAZN. De La Hoya has also publicly stood against the Zuffa-backed Ali Revival Act, causing more issues between the two parties.

“I know our side is signed and we’re ready for the fight,” Connolly told BoxingScene. “We’re in. I think Ryan is in. I think he has some issues that he’s got to work out with his network, his promoter, but that’s his business. It’s not really mine. I’ve heard the rumors. I’ve heard things, but I don’t want to comment on something unless it’s my fighter.”

Zuffa Boxing have also made it clear they do not wish to work with the traditional four sanctioning bodies. The WBC title will be on the line for Garcia-Benn, but Connolly confirmed there will be no issues.

“When we made the move to Zuffa, we contacted Mauricio Sulaiman. We told him we love the WBC. It’s always been Conor’s dream,” he said. “We’ve always represented that we want to win the WBC, and they were happy to hear from us, and no problems whatsoever.”

This would be the second world title fight featured on a Zuffa event if the issues on Garcia’s side are resolved, after the IBF middleweight strap will be on the line for Aaron McKenna-Etinosa Oliha on August 8 in Dublin, Ireland.

“I think they’re starting to work things out. I think they’re thawing. I can’t really talk directly on it, but I’ve heard the rumors that they’re starting to work things out, and in boxing I think that’s a good thing, right? It’s a good thing that more money is coming into the sport, more opportunities, more eyeballs, because Paramount has got 70 million paid subscribers. So all this is good.

“I don’t know why there’s such a war between traditional promoters and Zuffa, and the fans are starting to back one side or the other. I think we should be embracing all the money that’s coming into the sport and all the new viewership.”