“Of course, I wouldn’t say no,” Smith told iFL TV when asked about facing Benn. “It’s a big fight, you know, two Brits. Obviously, Conor’s a good guy, but boxing’s business.”

“For the right fight, it’d be a stadium fight. Obviously, I’m wishing Conor all the best. He’s a good guy, and boxing’s a business. So, it’s a fight I’d love to be a part of.”

Smith made it clear his immediate focus remains on defending his world title against Puello, but acknowledged that bigger fights could eventually come at welterweight.

“The money fights might be at 147,” Smith said. “For the right fight, I’d go to 147. Right now, 140 is my weight for the foreseeable future.”

A Benn-Smith matchup would currently require one of them to move divisions. Smith is the reigning WBC light welterweight champion, while Benn has campaigned at welterweight throughout his career.

Before any discussions about Benn can become realistic, Smith must first get through Puello in what will be his first world title defense. The Sheffield native captured the WBC title with a stoppage victory over Subriel Matias earlier this year before an elbow injury forced the postponement of his originally scheduled defense against Puello.

If Smith successfully retains his title in October and Benn emerges victorious against Ryan, a domestic superfight could become one of the biggest options available in British boxing.