LAS VEGAS — Conor Benn and Ryan Garcia both comfortably made the welterweight limit for Saturday's WBC title fight, defying concerns about the scales at the official weigh-in behind closed doors at the UFC Apex on Friday. Briton Benn, 29, weighed in at 10st 6lb (66kg) — half a pound heavier than champion Garcia — in front of about 50 members of the media, with both men looking at ease despite a tense build-up centred on the 10st 7lb welterweight limit.
Benn, who told BBC Sport the cut had taken him to the "pits of hell" after looking increasingly gaunt and drawn during fight week, smiled as his weight was announced and surprised observers with his condition. Speaking later at a ceremonial event in front of fans where he already looked noticeably bigger through his face and shoulders, he asked: "Did it look hard? How did I look?" and added, "We'll see tomorrow night how good I really feel." Garcia, who sprinted toward the scales about 10 minutes after Benn after a handful of undercard fighters had weighed in, also made weight without drama. "I want to thank all the great fans for showing out - it's really hot out here so I'm grateful," Garcia said.
The weigh-in settled a major talking point. Benn is returning to welterweight for the first time in more than four years, having weighed 11st 2lb (71kg) and 11st 5lb (72kg) for his two middleweight fights against Chris Eubank Jr and 10st 10lb (69kg) for his win over Regis Prograis in April. He has said he could weigh as much as 12st 7lb (80kg) by the time he steps into the ring on Saturday and will vacate the title and move back up if he wins. Garcia, 28, has had problems on the scales before, weighing more than three pounds over the light-welterweight limit before his 2024 fight against Devin Haney, but had no issues this time. The American, who won the WBC belt with a dominant points victory over Mario Barrios in February, is making his first defence with a professional record of 25 wins including 20 knockouts, two defeats and one no-contest, while Benn is 25-1 with 14 knockouts and fighting for his first world title.
The weight is particularly significant given the contrasting styles. Benn relies heavily on aggression, explosiveness and sustained pressure, while Garcia is a fast and dangerous counter-puncher comfortable catching opponents as they come forward with speed and a powerful left hook. Any draining effects could leave Benn more vulnerable and raise questions over whether he can maintain his usual intensity over 12 rounds. With no rehydration clause in place, Benn will weigh significantly more by fight night, and while he remains the underdog against a fighter with greater amateur pedigree and a more accomplished professional resume, his size and physical pressure could become one of his biggest advantages.
Hundreds of fans braved temperatures of around 40C outside T-Mobile Arena for the ceremonial weigh-in on Friday evening on Mexican Independence Day weekend, where a mariachi band entertained the crowd. Retired three-weight undisputed champion Terence Crawford was among those watching as Benn bowed to the crowd to a mixed reaction of a few boos. Mexican-American Garcia, draped in an American flag, followed with his daughter and WWE star Rey Mysterio alongside him to a louder reception mixed with jeers, bouncing on his toes with energy while Benn stared intently and barely moved. There was no repeat of the scuffles that have punctuated the build-up as the pair were separated after facing off.