What's Next for Ryan Garcia? Four Potential Fights After Dominant Knockout Win

Ryan Garcia solidified his massive star power with a swift second-round knockout victory over British fighter Conor Benn on Saturday night. As the WBC welterweight champion, Garcia entered the bout at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas as a heavy favorite against the overmatched Benn. While twenty-nine-year-old Benn—the celebrity son of former middleweight champion Nigel Benn—now faces an uncertain future, twenty-eight-year-old Garcia is met with a wealth of promising options for his next appearance.

Here are four potential matchups for Garcia's future bouts:

Teofimo Lopez
WBA champion Lopez watched from ringside on Saturday night, making a unification bout a logical next step. Having secured his title against Rolly Romero last month, a clash between the two American fighters would undoubtedly generate massive public interest.

Devin Haney
Garcia delivered a thrilling victory over WBO champion Haney in 2024, though the outcome was later overturned to a no-contest following Garcia's positive test for banned substances. Despite the intense rivalry making this an ideal matchup, Haney is reportedly reluctant to take the fight.

Liam Paro
If a deal with Lopez cannot be reached, fighting the Australian WBO titleholder presents a compelling unification alternative. Although Paro lacks household-name status, Garcia would enter as the clear favorite to claim another piece of the 147lb division.

Manny Pacquiao
The forty-seven-year-old Filipino legend is reportedly eyeing a return to the ring in early 2027. Following the collapse of his potential rematch with Floyd Mayweather and subsequent links to Shakur Stevenson, fighting a prime young champion like Garcia might not be ideal for Pacman, but his involvement would guarantee immense star power.