Ryan Garcia needed less than five total minutes to demolish Conor Benn to successfully defend his welterweight title before potentially setting up two even bigger fights for the future.
While he was heavily favored to win, Garcia still had to get the job done and it’s safe to say he passed that test with flying colors. Best known for a blistering left hand, Garcia showed off his power in the right after blasted Benn with a single shot that sent the British boxer to the canvas in a heap.
Benn managed to make it back to his feet but Garcia wasn’t going to stop until he ended the fight as he just kept hammering away and the referee had no choice but to stop the contest. The end came at 1:25 in the second round as Garcia earned the knockout victory.
“I feel at peace,” Garcia said after his title defense. “I’ve always had a right hand but I’ve always had injuries. I want to thank Conor for great buildup and a great match. Viva Mexico!”
Garcia’s left hand was landing early and often with Benn trying to find his way inside to show off some of his own power. Benn tried to show off some power as he was digging to the body and then going back up to the head but Garcia was quick to fire back with some nasty shots of his own.
As the second round got underway, Garcia uncorked a hellacious right hand that blasted Benn and he fell to the canvas. Benn was able to get back to his feet to make the 10 count but Garcia wasn’t going to give him a moment to breathe.
Garcia just started blasting away with punches as Benn was desperate to survive.
The assault continued with Garcia just unloading shot sand Benn couldn’t do much of anything but absorb the punishment until the referee saw enough to stop the fight before any further damage was done.
Garcia’s win once again establishes him as one of the top welterweights in the sport but there are still plenty of challenges awaiting him including a potential showdown against Teofimo Lopez, who was in the crowd, and the same goes for Devin Haney.
Garcia previously defeated Haney but a positive drug test overturned the result to a no-contest and the “King” had to serve a one-year suspension. Now he wants that one back as well.
“Teofimo, get that ass up here,” Garcia shouted into the crowd. “Where you at? He wants to get crazy, we can get crazy. I’ll beat your ass right now!
“Hopefully we get to beat Devin Haney’s ass again for undisputed. F*ck the Haney’s!”
Garcia is already viewed as one of the biggest names in the sport and he’s only setting himself up for bigger and better fights with a performance like he had on Saturday. Now he effectively has his pick for potential opponents as he moves forward with his career into 2027 and beyond.
