Ryan Garcia Stops Conor Benn in 2 Rounds, Calls for 147lb Unification With Teófimo López
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Sep 13
Ryan Garcia Stops Conor Benn in 2 Rounds, Calls for 147lb Unification With Teófimo López
3 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Sep 13
Summary
1min 25sec into round two, Garcia retained his WBC welterweight title by flooring Benn with a right hand and forcing a referee stoppage at Las Vegas' T-Mobile Arena.
18,855 fans saw Benn start fast and press the action, but Garcia said he used the first round to time him before standing his ground and ending the fight early in the second.
Post-fight chaos quickly shifted attention to Garcia's next move: he called out WBA titleholder Teófimo López for a unification bout and also targeted WBO champion Devin Haney for an undisputed fight.
$15 million apiece reportedly went to Garcia and Benn in a bout that also marked another comeback step for both men after separate doping controversies had threatened their careers.
Hospital observation awaited Benn after his second professional loss, and with the 29-year-old saying the 147lb weight cut was the 'pits of hell,' his future may lie at a higher division.