Ryan Garcia barely had time to celebrate his destruction of Conor Benn before turning his attention toward another major fight.

After stopping Benn in the second round to retain his WBC welterweight championship, Garcia used his post-fight moment to call for a unification showdown with Teófimo López, setting his sights on another marquee name as he attempts to establish himself at the top of the 147-pound division.

Garcia also left the door open for another fight with longtime rival Devin Haney, giving him multiple blockbuster possibilities after one of the most emphatic victories of his career.

But López appears to be the fight Garcia wants next.

“I want Teófimo next,” Garcia said following the victory, making clear that a championship unification is at the top of his list.

Garcia Makes Quick Work of Benn

The performance against Benn gave Garcia plenty of momentum heading into those negotiations.

Benn entered aggressively, attempting to pressure Garcia and turn the fight into a physical battle from the opening bell. Garcia remained patient through the first round before finding his range in the second.

Then the fight changed almost instantly.

Garcia landed a powerful right hand that dropped Benn. Although Benn beat the count and attempted to continue, Garcia recognized the opportunity and attacked, unloading punches as Benn backed toward the ropes.

Referee Thomas Taylor stepped in at 1:25 of the second round, giving Garcia the TKO victory.

The win marked Garcia's first defense of the WBC welterweight title he captured earlier in 2026 with a unanimous-decision victory over Mario Barrios.

Garcia improved to 26-2 with 21 knockouts while delivering exactly the kind of explosive finish that has made him one of boxing's biggest attractions.

Teófimo López Becomes the Target

The attention quickly shifted to López.

A fight between Garcia and López would bring together two of the most recognizable fighters of their generation and, more importantly, could carry major championship implications at welterweight.

Garcia has repeatedly expressed interest in the matchup, and his victory over Benn only strengthened his position heading into potential negotiations.

The personalities alone would make the buildup substantial.

Both fighters have built reputations for being outspoken outside the ring, while each has spent years competing at the highest levels of the lighter divisions. A meeting at 147 pounds would give Garcia another opportunity to strengthen his position at welterweight while giving López a chance to add another major name to his résumé.

No Garcia-Lopez fight has been officially announced, however, and negotiations would still have to produce agreements on the financial and contractual details.

For Garcia, the message after beating Benn was simply that López is the opponent he wants.

Devin Haney Still in the Picture

Garcia also mentioned Devin Haney, ensuring that one of boxing's most complicated rivalries remains alive.

Garcia and Haney have extensive history dating back to their amateur careers, and their professional meeting in April 2024 became one of the most controversial fights of Garcia's career.

Garcia initially scored a majority-decision victory after dropping Haney three times, but the result was later changed to a no-contest after Garcia tested positive for the banned substance ostarine.

That history has kept demand for another meeting alive.

A second professional fight would give both men an opportunity to settle a rivalry that has never received a clean conclusion inside the record books.

For now, though, Garcia appears to have López ahead of Haney in his immediate plans.

Oscar De La Hoya Missing From Ringside

One noticeable absence from Garcia's victory was his longtime promoter Oscar De La Hoya.

Garcia said afterward that he had invited De La Hoya to attend the fight and even reserved a seat for him.

De La Hoya did not show up.

The absence fueled online speculation that De La Hoya may have been prevented from attending the event because of his contentious relationship with UFC CEO Dana White.

White quickly rejected that explanation.

Asked about claims that De La Hoya had been banned from the event, White denied that he had prohibited him from attending.

That leaves De La Hoya's absence unexplained publicly, despite Garcia saying the invitation was there.

The situation is particularly notable because Garcia and De La Hoya have endured a turbulent promoter-fighter relationship in recent years, including public disputes and litigation involving Golden Boy Promotions.

Garcia's comments suggested that, whatever issues remain between them, he was willing to have De La Hoya present for one of the biggest nights of his current run.

Garcia Has Options

The larger story coming out of the Benn fight is that Garcia suddenly has no shortage of major opponents.

López represents the championship fight he appears to want most. Haney offers unfinished business and a rivalry capable of generating enormous attention. Gervonta “Tank” Davis has also returned to the conversation, with Garcia saying Davis' camp has contacted his team about a potential rematch.

Garcia has already made his conditions clear for Tank: 147 pounds and no repeat of the restrictive weight conditions that surrounded their 2023 fight.

That gives Garcia three potential blockbuster opponents as he moves forward as WBC welterweight champion.

His performance against Benn only increased the stakes.

Garcia didn't simply defend his championship. He dropped Benn, overwhelmed him and finished the fight before the second round was over.

Then he immediately started looking for the next name.

Right now, that name is Teófimo López.