WBC Welterweight Champion Ryan Garcia (25-2, 20 KOs) and Conor Benn (25-1, 14 KOs) are close to finalizing their fight for a September 12 date in Las Vegas.
The negotiations have not been smooth. Oscar De La Hoya stated no negotiations had taken place involving his company, and issued a cease-and-desist letter to Zuffa Boxing over talks conducted without Golden Boy’s participation. Despite that, Benn’s manager Keith Connolly confirmed last week that his fighter had already signed for the bout. Benn last fought on April 11, beating Regis Prograis by unanimous decision. Garcia’s most recent outing came on February 21, when he stopped Mario Barrios to claim the WBC welterweight title.