Conor Benn Says Ugas Was Preferred Choice For Next Fight; Hopes for Broner In March, April

In an ideal world, Conor Benn would already be looking at his first attempt at winning a world title.

On the heels of his lurid stoppage over veteran Chris Algieri, the hard-hitting British upstart recently expressed how would have loved nothing more than a chance to swap punches with WBA welterweight titleholder Yordenis Ugas.

That fight, of course, is currently an impossibility. Ugas – after an extended squabble with the WBA – is scheduled to defend his title against Errol Spence J., the IBF and WBC welterweight titleholder, in a unification bout sometime in the spring of 2022.

Were this not the case, Benn would have instructed his team to put pressure on the WBA to make a fight between him and the Cuban slickster, who earned his strap after beating Manny Pacquiao on points in the summer.

“I would,” Benn said of fighting Ugas in an interview with John Dennen of Boxing News. “But he has got a [unification with Errol Spence]. He’s got to fight first. Otherwise I would. I would say to my team, listen I’ve defended by WBA [intercontinental] title six times now let’s get onto Gilberto [Mendoza] at the WBA and get the fight made. But he’s got his fight, then we can go from there. I don’t want to wait around. So preferably have a warm up fight.”

It has been a banner year for the son of British legend Nigel Benn. With comprehensive victories over gatekeepers Algieri, Adrian Granados, and Samuel Vargas, the 25-year-old Benn (20-0, 13 KOs) has shown he is ready to take on legitimate contenders in the division. In addition, like his renowned father, Benn has shown a propensity for blood-curdling knockouts, none more illustrative than the one he delivered against Algieri: a picture-perfect one-two instantly folded the Long Islander on the ropes.

Barring a shot at Ugas, Benn – and his promoter Eddie Hearn – has made it clear he would welcome a chance to face Adrien Broner (34-4-1, 24 KOs).

“I believe Eddie’s making the Adrien Broner fight for March, April, so I just leave that to my team,” Benn said. “I’m not bothered, I leave that to my team. I just get in there and fight. But that’s what I hear he’s making.

“I plan on making that fight look like the sort of fight it’s supposed to be.”