LAGOS, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA) – Ryan Garcia delivered one of the most ruthless title defences of his career, stopping Conor Benn inside two rounds in Las Vegas and immediately promising that his championship reign is only just beginning.
The American took control from the opening bell, punishing Benn’s wild forward charges with sharp counters and calculated pressure.
Benn, determined but reckless, walked into heavy shots as Garcia calmly assessed the openings created by the Briton’s aggression.
“I knew he would bring the pressure, I felt the shots and thought ‘I’ll let him have his way’, but I knew his was reckless and you can’t do that with me,” Garcia told DAZN after the fight.
The warning proved accurate. Benn was floored in the second round by a clean right hook, crashing to the canvas before beating the count.
But the respite was brief. Garcia trapped him on the ropes and unleashed a barrage that forced the referee to intervene, ending the contest before Benn absorbed further damage.
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“147lb is my division. I’m here, you can trust me as a champion,” Garcia declared, reaffirming his intention to continue defending the belt with the same ferocity he displayed on Saturday night.
For Benn, the defeat was a harsh reality check. Many observers had questioned whether he had earned a world title shot, and his second loss in a decade-long career underscored the gulf between domestic success and elite world‑level competition.
Fighting at welterweight for the first time in over four years, Benn had already stated this would be his final bout in the division; a decision now cemented by the punishing outcome.
Garcia, now 26 wins from 28 fights, fulfilled his pre‑fight promise to stop Benn inside five rounds and he did so in less than six minutes.
After the stoppage, the fighters embraced, but attention quickly shifted to Garcia’s future.
He exchanged words with WBO champion Teofimo Lopez at ringside, hinting that his next title defence may be even bigger.
