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Benn makes weight
Confirmed
In Short: Conor Benn surprised everyone by gaining 32 pounds in 12 hours before his WBC welterweight title bout against Ryan Garcia.
Conor Benn surprised everyone by gaining 32 pounds in 12 hours before his WBC welterweight title bout against Ryan Garcia, according to reports from the BBC. Despite concerns about his ability to make the weight, Benn comfortably made the welterweight limit for their title fight, but only after a dramatic weight gain. The official weigh-in took place behind closed doors at the UFC Apex on Friday, but Benn revealed on social media that he had reached 12st 10lb (81.65kg) by the time he stepped into the ring on Saturday.
Previously, Benn had said he could weigh as much as 12st 7lb (80kg) by the time he stepped into the ring on Saturday. However, his weight gain has raised questions about his condition and the impact it might have on his performance. 'The cut had taken me to the pits of hell,' Benn told BBC Sport, referring to the weight-cutting process. Despite the concerns, Benn smiled as his weight was announced at the official weigh-in, and he looked noticeably bigger at a ceremonial event later on Friday.
American Garcia, 28, won the WBC belt with a dominant points victory over Mario Barrios in February and is making his first defense against Benn. The build-up to the fight has centered on how Benn would cope with returning to the 10st 7lb welterweight limit for the first time in more than four years. For his win over Regis Prograis in April, Benn weighed 10st 10lb (69kg), and he had previously weighed 10st 6lb (66kg) for the bout.
Speaking at a ceremonial event in front of fans, Benn already looked noticeably bigger, his face and shoulders having filled out. His two fights against Chris Eubank Jr were both at middleweight, with Benn weighing 11st 2lb (71kg) for the first and 11st 5lb (72kg) for the rematch. For his win over Regis Prograis in April, Benn weighed 10st 10lb (69kg).
According to reports from Boxing News 24/7, Ryan is picking at the scab Benn’s handlers have spent years hiding. Benn’s lone prayer is turning this into an immediate bar fight before his depleted gas tank catches fire. The first of 18 fighters to step on the scale here at the UFC’s Meta Apex, Benn effectively thumbed his nose at Garcia’s week-long taunting of the difficult weight cut by wearing both his underwear and a WBC baseball cap while atop the scale, flexing in delight as Nevada State Athletic Commission Executive Director Jeff Mullen announced the weight.
What's confirmed
- Conor Benn surprised everyone by gaining 32 pounds in 12 hours before his WBC welterweight title bout against Ryan Garcia, according to reports from the BBC. Despite concerns about his ability to make the weight, Benn comfortably made the welterweight limit for their title fight, but only after a dramatic weight gain. The official weigh-in took place behind closed doors at the UFC Apex on Friday, but Benn revealed on social media that he had reached 12st 10lb (81.65kg) by the time he stepped into the ring on Saturday.
- Previously, Benn had said he could weigh as much as 12st 7lb (80kg) by the time he stepped into the ring on Saturday. However, his weight gain has raised questions about his condition and the impact it might have on his performance. 'The cut had taken me to the pits of hell,' Benn told BBC Sport, referring to the weight-cutting process. Despite the concerns, Benn smiled as his weight was announced at the official weigh-in, and he looked noticeably bigger at a ceremonial event later on Friday.
- American Garcia, 28, won the WBC belt with a dominant points victory over Mario Barrios in February and is making his first defense against Benn. The build-up to the fight has centered on how Benn would cope with returning to the 10st 7lb welterweight limit for the first time in more than four years. For his win over Regis Prograis in April, Benn weighed 10st 10lb (69kg), and he had previously weighed 10st 6lb (66kg) for the bout.
- Speaking at a ceremonial event in front of fans, Benn already looked noticeably bigger, his face and shoulders having filled out. His two fights against Chris Eubank Jr were both at middleweight, with Benn weighing 11st 2lb (71kg) for the first and 11st 5lb (72kg) for the rematch. For his win over Regis Prograis in April, Benn weighed 10st 10lb (69kg).
- According to reports from Boxing News 24/7, Ryan is picking at the scab Benn’s handlers have spent years hiding. Benn’s lone prayer is turning this into an immediate bar fight before his depleted gas tank catches fire. The first of 18 fighters to step on the scale here at the UFC’s Meta Apex, Benn effectively thumbed his nose at Garcia’s week-long taunting of the difficult weight cut by wearing both his underwear and a WBC baseball cap while atop the scale, flexing in delight as Nevada State Athletic Commission Executive Director Jeff Mullen announced the weight.
What's still developing
- Benn has 25 wins - 14 by knockout - and one loss, and is fighting for his first world title.
- Briton Benn, 29, weighed in at 10st 6lb (66kg) for Saturday's bout - half a pound heavier than the champion.