“Every penny of it,” White replied.
It was a firm defense after a result that raised uncomfortable questions about how highly Zuffa had rated Benn. Garcia dropped the British fighter with a right hand and then trapped him against the ropes, forcing referee Thomas Taylor to stop the contest at 1:25 of the second round.
White credited Garcia rather than tearing down one of his contracted fighters.
“Garcia looked incredible, and he did everything he said he was going to do,” White said.
When questioned about rebuilding Benn, White advised him to spend time with his family before discussing another fight.
“Enjoy the success that he’s had this year, and when he’s ready to fight again, he calls us and we’ll put something together,” White said. “We’ll figure him out. He will fight again. It’s just one of those nights. Ryan Garcia is that good.”
White’s description of Benn’s successful year deserves scrutiny. That success amounted to beating a past-his-best, 37-year-old Regis Prograis in April. Prograis had lost two of his previous three fights and no longer possessed the speed or reactions he showed during his best years.
Benn still absorbed plenty of clean punches. Prograis damaged his face and exposed how hittable he becomes when charging forward. A younger version likely would have punished those defensive holes severely enough to win.
That fight was a warning about Benn’s limitations, not proof that he was ready to lead Zuffa Boxing. He needed an aging opponent with declining reflexes before being dismantled by Ryan, the first prime world-class fighter he had faced.
Calling the signing worth “every penny” makes sense as public damage control. White gains nothing by admitting Zuffa overpaid minutes after Benn’s first knockout defeat. The tougher job comes next.
Benn says he cannot continue at 147 or 154 pounds. Moving to middleweight will place him against naturally larger men who hit harder than Prograis and may handle his pressure more easily than Ryan did.
A third Chris Eubank Jr. fight remains the safest commercial option. Their series is tied at one victory each, and the British audience already knows the story. Anything more ambitious risks confirming that Zuffa paid star money for a fighter whose name and aggression exceed his actual ability.
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