However, Smith admits they can’t expect to go this route alone. He singled out Ryan Garcia’s unpredictability, suggesting things could get messy if Garcia wins. “We know Ryan Garcia can go off the radar at times. So, we’re not just looking at that option,” Smith said.

“I do believe in May or June we’ll try to get Romero to fight,” Smith said. “I think by the end of the year you could see him in a unification fight at welterweight.”

This shift in strategy is why Matchroom is targeting the WBA belt. Smith mentioned that a fight with Rolando Romero is a very real possibility. Rather than wait for the WBC to figure things out on its own, the team is actively looking at Romero as a way to get a title shot on his own terms.

The timeline is moving fast. Smith expects the Romero fight to take place in May or June. He even went so far as to say that he expects Benn to be involved in a unification match before the end of 2026. This is an ambitious plan, but it also highlights the instability of the current situation.

Ben has the ranking and status, but Smith’s comments suggest these things can only go so far. Matchroom sees flexibility as a requirement. Benn’s next step won’t be determined by a formal document, but by which champion is truly ready to step into the ring when the time comes.