Ryan Garcia finished Conor Benn in just two rounds to defend the WBC welterweight championship at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Garcia’s ruthless display of speed, power and precision ended Benn’s world title dream early in their Las Vegas showdown.
The American star defended his title with a display of class, a performance that proved Garcia to be too much for him.
Benn’s Road Back
Garcia held the WBC title when Benn dropped down to welterweight to face him, and it marked Benn’s return to a weight class under the welterweight limit after more than four years away.
After his provisional suspension for a doping violation was removed last year, Benn faced off against Chris Eubank Jr twice at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. The two fights took place at middleweight, and Benn got his revenge by dropping Eubank in the rematch before outscoring him on the judges’ cards.
Following that contest, he started working his way back down to welterweight, facing Regis Prograis in a catchweight fight at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, which served as part of the undercard for the Tyson Fury’s comeback earlier this year. He completed the challenge of boiling back down in weight but couldn’t match against Garcia.
Garcia’s Career Path
The fighter has climbed up through lighter divisions while sharing space with high-level opponents. He secured a notable victory over Olympic gold medallist Luke Campbell and tasted defeat against Gervonta Davis at lightweight. He also held his own against Devin Haney, even though he arrived above the super-lightweight weight limit for that bout. The outcome of that fight was altered to a no contest following a failed drug test by Garcia.
He was banned for a year, and when he returned, he lost to Rolando Romero at a Times Square event. That defeat did not stop him from getting a chance against then WBC champion Mario Barrios, though, and in that fight he dropped Barrios on the way to winning a decision and taking the title.
Garcia proved his worth right from the start of the contest, even though Benn had been put in as his mandatory opponent.
The Fight Inside the Rounds
Garcia began the fight by shaking up the Briton with a quick left hook. He followed up in the first round with stinging back hands, while Benn attempted to answer with his own right.
During the second round, Garcia unleashed a right that dropped Benn hard. The Briton got back up, though he did so without much steadiness. He had to close the distance in order to try to clear his head, but the American held him there and kept landing savage punches.
Garcia smashed Benn into the ropes and battered him, hurting him to the body before he battered him round the head. His sheer speed was clearly apparent throughout the exchange. The referee then stepped between them to end it at 1:25 of the second round.
“I kind of figured he would just come at me crazy,” Garcia said.
“Second round, I said I’m tired of him coming forward; I’m going stand my ground a little bit … and then he got caught with a hellacious one.”
The Undercard Match
Australia’s champion cruiserweight Jai Opetaia added to his unbroken record by beating WBC titlist Noel Mikaelian on the undercard.
The southpaw landed a left hook on Mikaelian in the ninth round, followed by a much harder right hook, which left him stunned against the ropes. The strands kept him upright, so the referee began a count, but Mikaelian could not recover and was stopped at 1:30 of the session.
What This Means for Benn
Until now, Benn’s return to welterweight had gone without trouble. He had moved back down in weight and demonstrated he could still compete at a higher level.
He was knocked out inside two rounds in Las Vegas, and that finish at 1:25 of the second round put an end to his world title hopes.
“I kind of figured he would just come at me crazy.”
That was Garcia’s assessment of the fight from the outset. He saw Benn’s aggression coming and adjusted, standing his ground in the second round to land the big punch that ended the fight.
The Weight Question
More than four years had passed since Benn had fought below the welterweight limit. His most recent bouts came at middleweight, where they pushed his staying power to its limits. He answered that challenge by avenging his defeat against Eubank Jr.
But Garcia’s power was too much for him at this weight. The American’s dominance in the second round was complete.
Garcia’s Title Defence
The defense of Garcia’s WBC welterweight title demonstrated his class. He has now claimed the belt by beating Barrios, and this win over Benn shows he can handle top-level competition.
Garcia made the bout a statement of his abilities. His display of speed and power confirmed what many already know: he ranks among the most dangerous fighters in the sport.
The Decision to End It
At 1:25 of the second round, the referee intervened to halt the bout. Benn appeared unsteady on his feet, unable to withstand the American’s punishing blows.
A quick choice brought the fighting to an end, and the matter was settled.
The Next Chapter
After a defeat, Benn will need to regroup. Garcia, meanwhile, continues forward with his title still in place. The American has already shown he can defeat top contenders at welterweight, and this win against Benn adds another entry to his record.
The verdict is settled for now: García ended Benn inside two rounds, keeping the WBC welterweight title.
See the video the story is built around at Skysports.