Benn, 27, faces Regis Prograis this weekend, knowing a loss could cost him his place as Garcia’s challenger. He takes that risk anyway.
“I could have waited for Garcia,” Benn said to the Ring. “Do I wait or do I stay energetic? I like that risk.”
The choice cuts against the same old approach. Mandatory challengers often sit tight and protect their position. Benn is doing the other, putting it on the road against a former world champion.
He made his goal clear if he gets through Prograis.
“I would like the largest fights. There isn’t any greater fight than me and Ryan.”
A win over Prograis would keep Benn in position and strengthen his case for the fight with Ryan. A loss, nevertheless, could remove him from the mandatory spot and delay any title opportunity. The chance is evident, but Benn has chosen activity over waiting.
Ryan’s next move stays open. He has been linked to other options for his first defence, which leaves the WBC with a call if Benn comes through on Saturday night. Conor’s approach puts the deal with performance first, fairly than counting on his rating to secure the shot.
Ryan won the WBC welterweight title earlier this yr against Mario Barrios and has been linked to other options, including Teofimo Lopez and a later rematch with Devin Haney. Benn’s route is more direct. Win on Saturday, then force the problem.
The final result leaves the WBC with a call to make. If Benn comes through, the sanctioning body can be expected to maneuver on the mandatory.
The approach is easy for Benn. Stay energetic, take the danger, and check out to fight his way into the shot fairly than wait for it.
