Hall of Famer Barry McGuigan has advised Conor Benn against moving up to middleweight and jumping straight back into a world title fight.

‘The Destroyer’ suffered a second-round stoppage defeat to Ryan Garcia earlier this month, with many questioning whether he deserved to even compete at world level.

Of course, there was much talk about his struggles at 147lbs but, ultimately, the 29-year-old was thoroughly outclassed by WBC champion Garcia, who displayed considerable advantages in speed and skill.

Even before the Garcia fight, though, Benn was teasing a move up to middle or super-middleweight, perhaps in an attempt to manufacture a built-in excuse.

He did, of course, enter two middleweight contests with Chris Eubank Jr last year, yet those were against a faded opponent who seemed hampered by the 10lb rehydration clause in their contract.

Without such weight stipulations, McGuigan has written in his Mirror column that it would be a mistake for Benn to face Denzel Bentley, who has been ordered to defend his world title against mandatory challenger Yoenli Hernandez.

“Benn is still box office. He can come again. But he has to prove himself. I would caution against jumping straight back in against WBO middleweight champion Denzel Bentley.

“You can see the appeal – an all-British clash for the belt his father once held. But that kind of engagement is the last thing he needs off the back of a devastating loss.”

McGuigan went on to suggest 154lbs as a possible destination, where Benn should be less depleted while, crucially, not contending with the kind of size disadvantage he would experience at middle or super-middleweight.