LAS VEGAS — Ryan Garcia successfully defended his WBC welterweight title with a second-round stoppage victory over Conor Benn at T-Mobile Arena. The win reinforced Garcia’s standing at the world level, following his previous unanimous decision victory over Mario Barrios in February.
Former two-weight world champion Carl Frampton, speaking on the DAZN broadcast, stated that the fight exposed a significant gap in ability between the two boxers. “There certainly [are] levels in this game … and Ryan Garcia’s a couple of levels above Benn,” Frampton said. “It was very one-sided – over quickly as well. That left hook – and I’ve seen it on TV; I’ve seen it on YouTube … But it’s even more impressive and frightening in real life.”
Frampton questioned whether Benn, 29, was ever suited for a world title challenge, noting that the Brit’s previous victories came against fighters past their prime or at higher weight classes. Benn, who had not competed at 147lbs in over four years, indicated during the pre-fight build-up that he intends to campaign at middleweight or super-middleweight for future bouts.