LONDON — Four-division world champion Roy Jones Jr. has proposed a strategic two-fight plan for Conor Benn following the Briton’s second-round defeat to Ryan Garcia. Benn, who was stopped inside five minutes during his challenge for Garcia’s WBC welterweight title on Saturday, is now expected to campaign at middleweight or super-middleweight.
Speaking to Parimatch, Jones Jr. suggested that Benn should prioritize a high-profile matchup with UFC star Conor McGregor, followed by a trilogy bout with rival Chris Eubank Jr. to conclude his career. “A Conor McGregor fight would be a lot more in Conor Benn’s lane,” said Jones Jr. “If I had my dream wish for Conor Benn, it would be to fight Conor McGregor, and then to finish off with Chris Eubank and call it a day. That’s two big-time multimillion-dollar fights.”
Jones Jr. cautioned that Benn faces significant challenges if he continues to pursue high-level opposition without a clear exit strategy. “Conor Benn is gonna face two more brutal assaults unless he fights Eubank and somebody else like Conor McGregor,” he added. While a potential bout with McGregor remains speculative—particularly as the MMA fighter recovers from an ACL injury sustained in July—Benn has already received an offer for a world title opportunity at a higher weight class.
The path forward for Benn remains a subject of intense industry debate, particularly following his recent performance. For further analysis on the fighter's trajectory, see Carl Froch's assessment of Conor Benn's future after the Ryan Garcia defeat.