Ryan Garcia made a statement on Saturday night at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, picking up a crushing knockout victory over Conor Benn to complete the
Ryan Garcia made a statement on Saturday night at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, picking up a crushing knockout victory over Conor Benn to complete the first successful defence of his reign as WBC welterweight champion.
It marked Garcia’s fastest win in six years, as he needed just two rounds to dispatch a fighter many considered his most dangerous test yet at 147 pounds.
The opening round was fast-paced, with both men in near-constant motion as Garcia looked for his trademark left hook and landed it several times early.
Benn started aggressively, taking the centre of the ring and trying to pressure Garcia.
Still, Garcia stayed composed, using his speed and left hook to keep Benn from closing the distance comfortably.
Everything changed in round two: Garcia decided there was no need to test anyone’s gas tank and landed a bomb of a right hand that dropped Benn to the canvas.
Benn managed to rise, but was still clearly compromised from the shot, and Garcia unloaded his arsenal as Benn was trapped against the ropes.
With Benn no longer fighting back, referee Thomas Taylor waved off the fight at the 1:25 mark of the second round.
Garcia improved to 26-2, while Benn suffered the second defeat of his career, and afterwards Garcia wasted no time calling out fellow young star Teofimo Lopez as he looked toward the biggest names left at welterweight.
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