Home · Sports · Sep 13 archive
Garcia Crushes Benn in WBC Welterweight Title Defense
Confirmed
In Short: Ryan Garcia retained his WBC welterweight title with a second-round stoppage over Conor Benn in Las Vegas.
Ryan Garcia retained his WBC welterweight title with a second-round stoppage over Conor Benn in Las Vegas. The American champion dominated from the opening bell, landing two sharp left hooks that left the British fighter reeling. Despite Benn's desperate charge forward, Garcia's superior technique and power proved too much, leading to a swift end to the bout.
According to reports, Garcia told DAZN, 'I knew he would bring the pressure, I felt the shots and though 'I'll let him have his way,' but I knew his was reckless and you can't do that with me.' The 29-year-old Benn, fighting at welterweight for the first time in over four years, was dropped by a flush right hook in round two but managed to beat the count.
Few gave Benn much chance, with the British fighter having never faced an opponent of Garcia's calibre. Benn's travelling support was far more modest, with only pockets of British fans visible among the 18,855 crowd at T-Mobile Arena. Garcia, 28, stayed true to his promise to stop Benn inside five rounds as he made a successful first defence of the title with his 26th win from 28 professional contests.
Earlier in the evening, a moment's silence was held before Monday's first anniversary of the death of Ricky Hatton, the Manchester fighter who famously brought tens of thousands of British fans to Las Vegas during his career. Benn, dressed in black with a Union Jack carried behind him, was greeted by a wall of boos as he made his way towards the ring alongside his father Nigel, who enjoyed one of his most famous victories in Las Vegas in 1990.
What's confirmed
- Ryan Garcia retained his WBC welterweight title with a second-round stoppage over Conor Benn in Las Vegas. The American champion dominated from the opening bell, landing two sharp left hooks that left the British fighter reeling. Despite Benn's desperate charge forward, Garcia's superior technique and power proved too much, leading to a swift end to the bout.
- According to reports, Garcia told DAZN, 'I knew he would bring the pressure, I felt the shots and though 'I'll let him have his way,' but I knew his was reckless and you can't do that with me.' The 29-year-old Benn, fighting at welterweight for the first time in over four years, was dropped by a flush right hook in round two but managed to beat the count.
- Few gave Benn much chance, with the British fighter having never faced an opponent of Garcia's calibre. Benn's travelling support was far more modest, with only pockets of British fans visible among the 18,855 crowd at T-Mobile Arena. Garcia, 28, stayed true to his promise to stop Benn inside five rounds as he made a successful first defence of the title with his 26th win from 28 professional contests.
- Earlier in the evening, a moment's silence was held before Monday's first anniversary of the death of Ricky Hatton, the Manchester fighter who famously brought tens of thousands of British fans to Las Vegas during his career. Benn, dressed in black with a Union Jack carried behind him, was greeted by a wall of boos as he made his way towards the ring alongside his father Nigel, who enjoyed one of his most famous victories in Las Vegas in 1990.
What's still developing
- Garcia landed two sharp left hooks and, although Benn initially appeared to take the shots well, the champion soon began finding gaps as the Briton charged into range.
- Garcia, who is of Mexican heritage, took considerably longer over his entrance, walking out to mariachi music on Mexican Independence Day weekend.
- After a poor performance in a loss to Rolando "Rolly" Romero, Garcia was given another chance to break through to a new level when he was paired with Mario Barrios for the WBC title.
- Beating Barrios also helped Garcia further recover his reputation after his infamous 2024 bout with Devin Haney.