Conor Benn suffered a quick defeat by Ryan Garcia on Saturday, as the divisive American put away his controversial British counterpart in two rounds.
Benn was fighting for a world title for the first time as he challenged Garcia in Las Vegas, but after a bitter build-up, the “Destroyer” became the destroyed for the first time in his career.
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Garcia, 28, handed Benn, 29, his first stoppage loss, retaining the WBC welterweight belt courtesy of a huge right hook in round two. The shot dropped Benn, who beat the referee’s count but was overwhelmed by the ensuing onslaught from “King Ryan”.
Conor Benn was stopped for the first time as he challenged Ryan Garcia (Getty)
Benn had started with heavy pressure, as expected, while Garcia looked to counter with his trademark left hook. One such punch had Benn stumbling somewhat in the first round, but Garcia proved he is dangerous with both hands when he sealed the stoppage with his right.
“I’ve always had a right hand, but I’ve always had injuries,” Garcia said in the ring after the fight. “I’m just happy, man, I’m blessed.”
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He added: “I feel very… It’s surprising, I feel at peace. In my locker room, we were playing worship music the whole time, praising my Lord and saviour Jesus Christ.
“I wanna thank Conor for a great build-up, a great match. I’m blessed to fight on this day, Mexican Independence [Weekend].
“I want to say a few words from my heart about this: I know some people don’t see me as Mexican because I don’t speak Spanish, but my heart never goes away from you guys.”
While Saturday’s main event brought plenty of hype, it also proved controversial due to each boxer’s drug-test controversies. In 2022, Benn failed two drug tests and was provisionally suspended from boxing in the UK, before he was cleared to do so in 2024. Also in 2024, Garcia failed a drug test and served a one-year ban. Both fighters maintained their innocence throughout the episodes.
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Despite the manner of the build-up to Saturday’s fight, Benn was quick to congratulate Garcia after the bout, which marked Benn’s second-ever professional loss – following his points defeat by Chris Eubank Jr last April.
Garcia dropped Benn with a huge right hook in round two (AP)
And after Saturday’s result, Benn’s attention may turn back to Eubank Jr, with whom he traded wins in 2025. After Eubank Jr outpointed his compatriot at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Benn returned the favour in the same venue in November.
Both bouts – between the sons of old rivals Nigel Benn and Eubank Sr – took place at middleweight, and Benn may feel his days fighting below that division are done.
Meanwhile, Garcia could be set for an all-American clash with Teofimo Lopez, who recently won the WBA welterweight title, and who tried to face off with King Ryan in the ring on Saturday.
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