Ryan Garcia and David Benavidez are both nearing the end of their current contracts, each just one fight away from free agency. In a strategic move, Zuffa Boxing has positioned itself to sign them by first acquiring Conor Benn and Jai Opetaia. Although Benn and Opetaia are promoted as key figures for Zuffa, they are actually part of a larger strategy aimed at attracting bigger stars.
Garcia’s relationship with his current promoter, Oscar De La Hoya, has long been tense, with Garcia seeking a promoter who would better support and respect him. His financially successful fight against Gervonta “Tank” Davis in April 2023, promoted by PBC and Showtime, generated 1.2 million pay-per-view buys and almost $23 million in gate revenue. This success made Garcia realize what he was missing in his current promotional setup, ultimately leading him to sue Golden Boy to try and exit his contract. Though unable to switch promoters at that time, with just one fight left on his deal, the timing is now favorable for change.
Zuffa Boxing and TKO paid Conor Benn over $30 million for two fights, partly to help promote a potential fight involving Garcia. Garcia, reflecting on his experience working with Dana White’s Zuffa at the Garcia-Benn event—largely branded as a Zuffa production despite Ring Magazine’s involvement—expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration. De La Hoya’s absence from the promotion and fight night was a calculated move to shift public perception, making Garcia appear as a Zuffa fighter and showcasing Zuffa’s capabilities in promoting major events.
Signing Benn also delivered a blow to Zuffa’s main competitor, Eddie Hearn and Matchroom Boxing, as Benn was considered one of their marquee stars alongside Katie Taylor and Anthony Joshua. Benn’s departure sent a clear message that fighters are no longer tied to promoters like Hearn exclusively, signaling an open market where promoters must compete fiercely for talent. This represents a harsh lesson: in boxing, promoters should avoid becoming emotionally attached to fighters, a truth recognized by legends such as Bob Arum and Oscar De La Hoya, and now newly learned by Hearn.
Benn’s addition has helped Zuffa extend its reach into the UK market, securing a lucrative deal with Sky Sports. Meanwhile, in a co-main event at Garcia-Benn, Jai Opetaia defeated Noel Mikaelian then challenged David Benavidez, who was ringside. Benavidez, with just one fight left on his contract with PBC and Sampson Lewkowicz, is also on Dana White’s radar.
Once a top contender at super middleweight, Benavidez moved up through different weight classes but missed chances to face top champions at 168 and 175 pounds. Now at cruiserweight, he has the chance to prove himself as the best pound-for-pound fighter. Known for his willingness to take on tough battles—even hypothetically against heavyweights like Oleksandr Usyk—Benavidez could be enticed to join Zuffa, especially with Opetaia and substantial financial incentives waiting.
Furthermore, Opetaia’s presence supports Zuffa’s ongoing challenge against boxing’s sanctioning bodies. Despite wanting to unify all cruiserweight belts, Opetaia was stripped of his IBF title in March and, after just winning the WBC title, saw it declared vacant within two days. Public opinion sides with Opetaia, viewing him as the de facto best cruiserweight. He has since launched a lawsuit against the IBF, accusing it of stripping his title in retaliation for signing with Zuffa, making Opetaia both evidence and a tool in Zuffa’s battle against the sanctioning organizations.
While Benn and Opetaia were significant signings, their main purpose was to open doors to Garcia and Benavidez. If Zuffa succeeds in signing Garcia, it is strongly positioned to also bring Benavidez onboard for at least one fight—potentially showcasing what a switch to Zuffa could mean for his career. Together, Garcia and Benavidez could become the prominent faces of American boxing following the Canelo era.
Although neither Garcia nor Benavidez have officially signed with Zuffa yet, Dana White has already assembled the pieces to entice them. Zuffa’s disruption in boxing is just beginning, and it may soon secure two of the sport’s most valuable stars.
Fan Take: This development could mark a major shift in boxing’s power dynamics, signaling the rise of Zuffa as a dominant force in the sport. For fight fans, it promises fresh matchups and bigger events, potentially revitalizing the American scene in the post-Canelo era.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
