September slot opens if Mayweather–Pacquiao falls through as Benn holds WBC #1 at 147
Conor Benn is being lined up for a welterweight title fight with Ryan Garcia, with a September date under discussion. A vacant Netflix slot could push the fight forward if Mayweather–Pacquiao does not go ahead.
Benn moved on from Matchroom earlier this year to join Dana White’s Zuffa Boxing and made his debut with the company at the start of April, beating Regis Prograis by decision at a 150lb catchweight.
That fight marked Benn’s first time below 154lbs in two years, but he still holds the WBC’s #1 contender position at 147lbs, keeping him in line for a shot at champion Ryan Garcia.
Both fighters have already shown interest in facing each other, and an August date had been mentioned. Hearn now believes the fight could land later in the year on a major platform.
“Netflix is only going to do so many fights, and the word is that they are doing Benn-Garcia now on September 12th or whenever that is going to be. That is obviously the fight that is replacing Mayweather-Pacquiao,” said Hearn to Fighthype.
“If Mayweather-Pacquiao happens, they are committed to that fight. If it doesn’t happen, they are going to want another fight to slot in there, and by the sounds of it, it’s Garcia against Benn.”
Netflix had originally lined up a Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao rematch for September, but uncertainty around that bout has left space on the schedule.
If the rematch falls through, Benn vs. Garcia is being lined up as the backup option to fill that slot.