Ryan Garcia Drops 3-Man Hitlist for After Conor Benn Fight

Garcia and Benn will share the ring on September 12

Ryan Garcia | IMAGO / Cover-Images

Now just weeks away from defending his WBC welterweight world title against Conor Benn in Las Vegas, it looks as though Garcia is already making plans for his next fight, but he surprisingly omitted one man.

Garcia has had a tumultuous last couple of years, struggling with his mental health and serving a ban for a failed drug test after his win over Devin Haney. He then returned to the ring and lost to his old rival and sparring partner, Rolando 'Rolly' Romero, to further muddy the waters of Garcia's future.

But the WBC came to his rescue and gave Garcia a shot at Mario Barrios' WBC welterweight title - which he took with both hands, knocking the incumbent down in the first round on his way to a comfortable points win to claim his maiden world title.

Ryan Garcia vs Mario Barrios | IMAGO / ZUMA Press Wire

The new champion will have to make his first defense against another unlikely challenger in Britain's Conor Benn. The Brit's star is shining bright after his pair of fights against Chris Eubank Jr and his landmark signing with Zuffa Boxing.

Benn has not fought at Welterweight since 2022, but did make his Zuffa debut against Regis Prograis at 150lbs. The WBC nevertheless saw it fit to award him a shot at the title and fight fans are split in their opinions.

Garcia names his list of targets

If Garcia is fully focused on the fight and comes in shape as he did against Barrios, then he should be the favorite, possessing speed and power to a level that Benn has never faced. But if it is another off-night, as it was against Romero, then Benn's relentless work rate and pressure fighting could pose serious problems for Garcia.

He obviously doesn't agree and has already named a hitlist for when he emerges victorious.

"I'm about to beat up Conor Benn. I want Teofimo Lopez, Rolando Romero and Shakur Stevenson. I have a lot of options. I'm not really worried about Haney now. If it happens, it happens, " Garcia told the media.

"All these guys obviously have to come to me, you know what I mean? I'm definitely the lottery fight. If you want to be a huge name, I'm the guy to do it [against]. You have to get through me."

Conor Benn | IMAGO / Action Plus

There is one obvious omission as Garcia failed to mention his career-long rival, Devin Haney. Since the original result was overturned to a no-contest, both men have expressed interest in having a rematch to finally settle things.

The fight could not be bigger, with both men holding a world title in the welterweight division, but Garcia wants to let Haney feel the sting of the former loss a little longer.

"I'm not in a rush to make that fight happen. They have to sit with that loss," Garcia told reporters. "Why do I have to beg for it? I'm here."

Devin Haney vs Ryan Garcia | IMAGO / ZUMA Press Wire

Is welterweight the most exciting division right now?

Of the four reigning welterweight champions, three of them share a heated rivalry. Romero, Haney and Garcia have all been compared since their youth and now have an opportunity to put on some of the biggest fights in the sport - all with the added flavor of unification.

There is also Teofimo Lopez, who will move to welterweight since his loss to Shakur Stevenson and take on Romero for his WBA welterweight title. The Brit Jack Catterall is also in this equation as the WBA 'Regular' belt holder who is the mandatory challenger to Romero and has also been rumored to be in negotiations to fight Haney since his fight with Keyshawn Davis fell through.

There is also a legend in the wings, waiting for his time to strike - Manny Pacquiao has promised a return to the ring before the end of the year and has made it clear his goal is to become the oldest world champion in boxing history as well as the only eight-division champion.

Everywhere you look at 147 lbs there are good fights to be made, and with Stevenson threatening a move soon, it only stands to become more tantalizing.