Ryan Garcia and David Benavidez are each just one fight away from becoming free agents, and Zuffa Boxing has strategically positioned itself to secure their contracts by signing fighters Conor Benn and Jai Opetaia. Although Benn and Opetaia have been promoted as the stars of Zuffa Boxing, in truth, they serve as strategic moves in a larger plan.
Garcia’s relationship with his current promoter, Oscar De La Hoya, has long been tense. For years, Garcia has quietly sought a promoter who can better support and respect him. His most lucrative fight came in April 2023 against Gervonta “Tank” Davis, a PBC-promoted event on Showtime that brought in 1.2 million pay-per-view buys and a $22.8 million gate. Following that, Garcia attempted to exit his contract with Golden Boy, recognizing what he was missing after experiencing a high-profile promotion. While he couldn’t switch promoters at that time, with only one fight left on his current contract, the situation is now ripe for change.
Zuffa Boxing and TKO went all-in by paying Conor Benn over $30 million for two fights, partly to make a Garcia fight possible. Garcia, having witnessed the scale and professionalism of promotions by PBC and Showtime in his previous big fight, re-experienced that feeling with Benn under Zuffa—feeling like a genuine star. Speaking recently, Garcia expressed his satisfaction working with Dana White’s Zuffa, indicating an openness to what the promoter could offer moving forward.
Efforts were clearly made to present the Garcia vs. Benn fight as a Zuffa event, with Dana White prominently acting as promoter and Garcia positioned as a Zuffa fighter, while Oscar De La Hoya was notably absent from the build-up and fight night. This strategy aims to build the public association between Garcia and Zuffa, capitalizing on the organization’s reputation for delivering major boxing events.
Signing Benn also served as a blow to Zuffa’s top rival, Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Boxing. Benn had been a marquee fighter for Matchroom and his departure sent a clear message: no fighter is untouchable. This move signaled to promoters everywhere that big-name fighters might jump ship if they receive better offers. Hearn’s misstep was becoming emotionally invested in a fighter, a mistake veteran promoter Bob Arum famously warns against.
Conor Benn also brings significant star power in the UK market, aiding Zuffa in securing a valuable UK TV deal with Sky Sports and expanding its influence overseas.
During the Garcia-Benn event, Jai Opetaia defeated Noel Mikaelian and immediately challenged David Benavidez, who was ringside and later faced off with Opetaia in the ring. Benavidez has one fight remaining with PBC and promoter Sampson Lewkowicz, and Dana White has openly expressed interest in signing him as well. Once a dominant contender at super middleweight, Benavidez never faced Saul “Canelo” Alvarez and eventually moved up in weight classes, now fighting at cruiserweight with the ambition to face reigning division No. 1 and claim pound-for-pound supremacy.
Benavidez is known for his desire to face top-tier opponents and prove himself, even expressing willingness to fight heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk if the opportunity arose. With Opetaia and a substantial financial offer awaiting him at Zuffa, there is a strong incentive for Benavidez to join forces with White’s promotion. Talks about a joint fight card with Garcia as early as May suggest Zuffa may successfully bring both fighters under its banner, at least for one bout, potentially opening the door for a longer-term switch.
Signing Opetaia also supports Zuffa’s broader conflict with boxing sanctioning bodies. Although relations with the four main authorities have warmed recently, Dana White’s ultimate goal remains to challenge their control. Opetaia’s frustration is evident, having been stripped of his IBF title in March and then having the WBC championship declared vacant shortly after defeating the reigning champ. These controversies highlight the issues with sanctioning bodies not recognizing arguably the best cruiserweight.
Opetaia is now a key figure in Zuffa’s legal and strategic battle against these organizations, having sued the IBF for allegedly stripping his title in retaliation for signing with Zuffa.
While Benn and Opetaia are important signings, they are steps toward bigger objectives. Benn helps Zuffa break into Garcia’s sphere and weaken Eddie Hearn’s position in British boxing. Opetaia offers a path to Benavidez and a tool to fight the sanctioning bodies. Garcia and Benavidez have the potential to become leading figures in American boxing following the Canelo era. Though neither has officially signed with Zuffa, Dana White has laid the groundwork to entice both, signaling that TKO’s ambitious plans in boxing have only just begun and might soon capture two of the sport’s most valuable stars.
Fan Take: This development could dramatically reshape the boxing landscape by consolidating top American talent under one powerful promoter, creating new mega-fight possibilities and stronger competition for traditional organizations. For fight fans, it means more high-profile, well-promoted bouts that could elevate the sport and bring fresh excitement during a key transitional era.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
