Conor Benn failed in his first attempt at becoming a boxing world champion as he was emphatically defeated by Ryan Garcia in Las Vegas. ‘The Destroyer’ was seeking to win the WBC welterweight title in Saturday night’s keenly-anticipated main event at T-Mobile Arena, but was floored and stopped inside two rounds in a brief one-sided showdown.
After a competitive opening round in which he landed to the body but was tagged by some trademark Garcia left hooks, Benn was sent to the canvas early in the second by a powerful right hand. Though he beat the count, he was powerless to resist Garcia’s blistering and ruthless follow-up onslaught, with referee Thomas Taylor stepping in to wave off proceedings with Benn taking heavy punishment against the ropes. It was a statement first defence from Garcia of the belt that he claimed in dominant fashion against Mario Barrios in February.
Jai Opetaia stopped Noel Mikaelian in the co-main event to retain his Ring and Zuffa cruiserweight titles, following an opening win on the main card for Andres Cortes over Mark Magsayo and a dramatic first-round stoppage by heavyweight prospect Da'Mazion Vanhouter against Raphael Akpejiori. Follow Garcia vs Benn reaction live below!
Ryan Garcia vs Conor Benn latest news
- Ryan Garcia emphatically stops Conor Benn in round two
- Conor Benn taken to hospital for checks after brutal loss
- 'No excuses': Conor Benn reveals first reaction to early stoppage
- Chris Eubank Jr trolls arch-rival Conor Benn after defeat
Chris Eubank Jr trolls arch-rival Conor Benn
06:28 , George Flood
As you might imagine, sympathy from Conor Benn’s arch-rival Chris Eubank Jr has been in preciously short supply.
He could not resist trolling Benn on social media straight after his loss tonight.
“Welcome to the ’fighting after cutting too much weight’ club… Enjoy,” Eubank Jr wrote on X.
Could we now see the trilogy fight?
Welcome to the ’fighting after cutting too much weight’ club… Enjoy
— Chris Eubank Jr (@ChrisEubankJr) September 13, 2026
'No excuses': Conor Benn reveals first reaction to Ryan Garcia loss
06:25 , George Flood
Going to hospital means Conor Benn was unable to conduct any post-fight media interviews or do a press conference at T-Mobile Arena.
However, he has now revealed his first reaction to tonight’s emphatic early defeat with a short message posted on social media.
“Not my night, no excuses,” he wrote on X. “@RyanGarcia you’re a great champion.”
Not my night, no excuses. @RyanGarcia you’re a great champion 🫱🏾🫲🏻
— Conor Nigel Benn (@ConorNigel) September 13, 2026
Conor Benn taken to hospital
06:23 , George Flood
Conor Benn has been taken to hospital for precautionary checks following tonight’s brutal second-round stoppage defeat.
“Yeah, we want to send Conor to the hospital, yes,” Zuffa Boxing chief Dana White said in his post-fight press conference at T-Mobile Arena.
“He was just back here now, I don’t know if he went already or not.
“We definitely want to send him. I don’t mess with that stuff.”
Ryan Garcia stops Conor Benn in round two
04:34 , George Flood
WOW!
Utterly ruthless from Garcia, who follows up that knockdown with a vicious, blistering onslaught and Benn just cannot hang on with so much time left in the round.
He’s helpless against the ropes as the referee steps in to end this title bout early.
An emphatic maiden defence of his WBC welterweight crown for the ultra-talented Garcia.
Benn’s first world title challenge is over in a flash.
Ryan Garcia vs Conor Benn - Round 2
04:31 , George Flood
Some more quick-fire shots from Garcia early in the second, with Benn taking them and responding by digging to the body.
Benn is rocked back by another fast strike from Garcia, who drills in some uppercuts and now puts Benn down early in the second!
Can he hold on?! Here comes the follow-up onslaught from Garcia.
Still nearly two minutes left in the round...
Ryan Garcia vs Conor Benn - Round 1
04:29 , George Flood
It’s quickly got chaotic as Benn roughs up Garcia and hurts him with a sharp body shot.
But Garcia throws out some lightning-fast punches that find their mark.
The pair then exchange more body shots before another furious exchange before the bell.
What an opener!
Ryan Garcia vs Conor Benn - Round 1
04:28 , George Flood
Benn is trying to get on the front foot here and be the aggressor, chasing the champion down and letting his hands go when he can.
But Garcia is looking sharp early on and catches Benn with another tidy left hook.
His hand speed is just mesmerising and a significant challenge for Benn to overcome.
Benn must avoid that left hook.
Ryan Garcia vs Conor Benn - Round 1
04:26 , George Flood
The duo touch gloves in one final face-off and we are finally under way in Las Vegas!
This could be very entertaining, very quickly.
Benn walks into a trademark left hook from Garcia within seconds...
Ryan Garcia vs Conor Benn
04:25 , George Flood
Deafening boos for Benn from this heavily pro-Garcia crowd as Joe Martinez completes the final introductions.
Cheers across the board for the champion.
Superb noise inside T-Mobile Arena.
Ryan Garcia ring walk
04:22 , George Flood
Quite a scene as Garcia makes his way to the ring, accompanied by Mexican music and colours, with the flag draped around him.
An early face-off ensues, with Garcia now looking angry as he expends a lot of nervous energy by continually bouncing up and down on the spot.
He is raring to go.
Conor Benn ring walk
04:18 , George Flood
Here comes the challenger!
A short and sweet ring walk for Benn, who is all business tonight.
‘Dangerous’ by Conroy Smith is his music of choice, a tribute to his father Nigel who also used that song in his 90s heyday.
I feel like Garcia’s ring walk will be far more elaborate, especially with Mexican Independence Day coming up.
Conor Benn ring walk on the way
04:11 , George Flood
Stormzy has been backstage with Conor Benn tonight, so you’d have to assume he will be part of his imminent ring walk.
Benn was also visited by Terence Crawford in the dressing room, while Ryan Garcia had a visit from Teofimo Lopez.
Ryan Garcia vs Conor Benn up next
04:06 , George Flood
Right, that’s the undercard done and dusted in Las Vegas.
Tonight’s massive main event is coming up next at T-Mobile Arena as Conor Benn challenges Ryan Garcia for the WBC welterweight championship of the world.
Can he upset the odds and become a world champion for the first time?
We will find out very shortly...
David Benavidez joins Jai Opetaia in ring as super-fight beckons
04:02 , George Flood
Opetaia beckons Benavidez into the ring!
‘The Mexican Monster’ needs no second invitation.
It’s all very respectful though, with both men stating their admiration for each other as they insist they will fight.
I cannot wait for that.
Two of the most feared fighters in boxing.
Three-weight world champion Benavidez is the current unified WBA and WBO cruiserweight titlist after moving up from light-heavyweight to stop Gilberto Ramirez in May.
Jai Opetaia retains Ring and Zuffa cruiserweight titles
03:57 , George Flood
Opetaia retains his Ring and Zuffa cruiserweight titles and keeps that undefeated record, moving to 31-0.
A penny for David Benavidez’s thoughts in the crowd.
A first stoppage defeat of his career drops Mikaelian to 28-4.
But he still has the WBC belt, which was not on the line tonight.
Jai Opetaia stops Noel Mikaelian in round nine
03:53 , George Flood
Now he has been stopped!
It’s brutal, brutal stuff from Opetaia, who smashes in some enormous shots from close range.
Mikaelian is totally exhausted and powerless to resist as the sheer power of the blows force him back to the ropes.
The referee steps in before any more damage can be inflicted and he initially gives Mikaelian a standing count, but he’s in no state to continue.
Very impressive from Opetaia.
Jai Opetaia vs Noel Mikaelian
03:49 , George Flood
A reminder that Mikaelian has never been stopped, with his three previous defeats in 31 professional fights - against Badou Jack, Mairis Briedis and Krzysztof Wlodarczyk - all coming on points.
But he’s exhausted in there now as he takes a much-needed breather in the corner, much to the crowd’s displeasure.
Opetaia is putting the combinations together and still switching up his attacks well as he goes back through the gears.
I’m not sure how many more of those spiteful body shots Mikaelian can take.
Jai Opetaia vs Noel Mikaelian
03:46 , George Flood
Where did that come from?!
Mikaelian was looking very tired but comes firing out of the gates in the seventh, catching Opetaia by surprise and hurting him as he gets a sudden burst of energy and lets the shots fly.
Opetaia looks potentially on shaky legs for a moment as the duo wrestle and Mikaelian ends up on the deck by the ropes.
Opetaia digs in and looks to swiftly resume normal service, with Mikaelian quickly back to looking weary.
The most competitive round of the fight so far. Did Mikaelian do enough to shade it?
Jai Opetaia vs Noel Mikaelian
03:42 , George Flood
The one-way traffic continues as Opetaia continues to methodically break down Mikaelian, piling on the pressure at all times and making that power felt over and over.
Mikaelian is starting to look very weary and tired through the halfway stage.
Jai Opetaia vs Noel Mikaelian
03:38 , George Flood
Opetaia is switching up his attacks nicely to body and head.
There is so much energy-sapping power in most of these shots from the Australian southpaw.
He’s putting most - if not all - of these rounds firmly in the bag and wearing down Mikaelian, who is still having success with the odd right hand.
Jai Opetaia vs Noel Mikaelian
03:32 , George Flood
Mikaelian is clearly hurt by a wincing body shot early in the fourth, but Opetaia receives a warning for something - was it low? - and it gives his opponent crucial additional seconds to recover.
Opetaia works the body well and rattles in some thudding uppercuts that find their mark and further buzz the WBC champion.
Mikaelian is marked up under both eyes and bleeding from the nose as he remonstrates briefly with the referee, making allegations of punches to the back of the head.
Opetaia delivers a punishing blow before the bell as Mikaelian makes his way slowly back to the corner.
Jai Opetaia vs Noel Mikaelian
03:29 , George Flood
Opetaia ups the tempo quickly in the third, moving better and asking more questions of Mikaelian.
It isn’t particularly eye-catching or explosive, but he’s starting to develop a nice rhythm as he begins to go through the gears.
Some nice work on the inside though in that round from Mikaelian.
Jai Opetaia vs Noel Mikaelian
03:25 , George Flood
The camera pans to David Benavidez, who is among the plethora of boxing stars at ringside in Las Vegas as he takes a look at potential future opponent Opetaia.
What a blockbuster fight that would be.
Opetaia probably did the cleaner work there in the second, but he isn’t having this all his own way so far.
Mikaelian is offering plenty, targeting the body.
The swelling and bruising around that left eye of Opetaia looks so painful.
Jai Opetaia vs Noel Mikaelian
03:20 , George Flood
A decent-looking start from the confident and towering Opetaia, but he’s eaten a couple of solid shots early doors and his left eye is already swelling rapidly.
That looks nasty and he is furious about it.
A big confidence booster for Mikaelian.
Jai Opetaia vs Noel Mikaelian
03:16 , George Flood
We’re expecting a far better performance from the fearsome Opetaia - undefeated at 30-0 with 23 knockouts - tonight than he showed against Glanton at the UFC Apex in March, when he hugely flattered to deceive en route to a 12-round decision.
He will surely have too much for ageing two-time WBC cruiserweight champion Mikaelian, who was born in Armenia but fights out of Germany. He is currently 28-3.
A reminder that his WBC belt is not on the line tonight, with Opetaia instead defending his Zuffa and The Ring cruiserweight championships.
Here we go...
Jai Opetaia vs Noel Mikaelian
03:11 , George Flood
The co-main event of the night is coming up next at T-Mobile Arena!
One of the most formidable fighters in all of boxing, Jai Opetaia, makes the ninth consecutive defence of his Ring cruiserweight title against Noel Mikaelian.
Mikaelian won the WBC title for the second time with a rematch win over veteran Badou Jack in Los Angeles back in December, but it is not on the line tonight.
Southpaw Opetaia was stripped of the IBF belt for the second time in March after fighting Brandon Glanton for the inaugural Zuffa title.
Confusion still reigns in that regard in terms of the other world title belts and Zuffa, with Opetaia being frustrated in his desire to become undisputed at 200lbs.
This fight is still happening despite Don King Productions recently sending a cease and desist letter, claiming that they have exclusive promoting rights with regards to Mikaelian’s career.
Da'Mazion Vanhouter - America's best heavyweight prospect?
03:02 , George Flood
There is a lot of obvious excitement Stateside around the potential of Da'Mazion Vanhouter, with America having generally been so short on genuine heavyweight talent for such a long time now.
Given the sheer size of him, it is staggering to think that he weighed only 154 pounds when he made his professional debut back in 2022.
Some massive shots on display in that quick outing against Akpejiori, who was totally overmatched.
A crunching right hand sealed a brutal victory to move him to 13-0.
Da'Mazion Vanhouter stops Raphael Akpejiori in first round
02:54 , George Flood
Well, that was short-lived but eventful!
Vanhouter jumps on Akpejiori almost immediately and the Nigerian struggles to beat the count.
But then Vanhouter looks like he may have dislocated his left shoulder as he slumps to the canvas in pain.
He quickly shakes it off to smash down Akpejiori, who isn’t getting up this time.
Emphatic!
Da'Mazion Vanhouter vs Raphael Akpejiori
02:39 , George Flood
Only two fights to go now before tonight’s massive main event between Ryan Garcia and Conor Benn, including the chief support act - the cruiserweight title showdown between Jai Opetaia and Noel Mikaelian.
Next we pay our first and only visit to the heavyweight ranks for Da'Mazion Vanhouter vs Raphael Akpejiori over eight rounds.
21-year-old American prospect Vanhouter is 12-0 and highly-rated by Zuffa Boxing chief Dana White.
He will expect to take care of Nigerian Akpejiori, who has lost two of his last three fights.
Andres Cortes targeting Jose Valenzuela fight
02:32 , George Flood
The victorious Andres Cortes is asked in the ring after the fight if he is looking at a potential showdown with former WBA super-lightweight champion Jose Valenzuela in future.
“Absolutely,” he says. “Let’s get it on.”
Andres Cortes beats Mark Magsayo by unanimous decision
02:30 , George Flood
All three judges score the bout 97-93 in favour of Andres Cortes, who wins by unanimous decision to retain his undefeated record and move to 26-0.
Fully deserved for the Las Vegas native in front of his home crowd.
Magsayo drops to 29-3 after a real off-night.
Mark Magsayo vs Andres Cortes
02:27 , George Flood
The late surge from Magsayo rather peters out in the 10th and final round, which is well controlled by Cortes.
Both men raise their hands after the final bell, but this will surely go Cortes’ way on the scorecards.
His cut man deserves a lot of praise given how bad his face was looking a few rounds ago.
Mark Magsayo vs Andres Cortes
02:24 , George Flood
Magsayo wobbles Cortes slightly in the ninth as he continues to come on strong late in the fight.
He has likely won both the eighth and ninth, and definitely needs the 10th.
But it still feels too little, too late after those two earlier knockdowns.
He surely needs a last-gasp stoppage...
Mark Magsayo vs Andres Cortes
02:19 , George Flood
By no means perfect from Magsayo in the eighth, but enough to take the round.
Huge cheers from the Vegas crowd for Garcia as he is now shown walking backstage.
Mark Magsayo vs Andres Cortes
02:16 , George Flood
Despite his dominance for the most part, Cortes’ face is a mess with blood streaming from the nose and a nasty cut near his right eye.
That looks to rather galvanise Magsayo during the early stages of the eighth as he raises the tempo and his work rate, letting the hands go...
Mark Magsayo vs Andres Cortes
02:15 , George Flood
Magsayo manages to land a couple of really nice shots in round seven, but Cortes smartly fights fire with fire on both occasions and ends up having the better of the exchanges.
Having said that, there is blood coming from the nose of Cortes now and one of his eyes is swelling.
Still, he remains in firm control of this fight with only three rounds to go.
Magsayo needs to up his levels significantly.
Mark Magsayo vs Andres Cortes
02:12 , George Flood
Better glimpses at times from Magsayo in the sixth, but those bright moments are just too infrequent at the moment and he is really struggling to disrupt Cortes’ rhythm.
Mark Magsayo vs Andres Cortes
02:06 , George Flood
Some gruelling exchanges in the fifth, with both men letting the shots fly again at close quarters.
They are taking it in turns to be the aggressor, Cortes forcing Magsayo to fight off the back foot before the former WBC featherweight champion rushes forward in rather untidy fashion.
This is Cortes’ fight at the moment. Magsayo looks frustrated.
Mark Magsayo vs Andres Cortes
02:02 , George Flood
Magsayo is really struggling in the fourth. He is bigger than Cortes, but Cortes looks the stronger man at the moment.
Magsayo is on his knee again, but that rightly doesn’t count as a knockdown this time.
However, the third time he takes a knee does result in a second count of the fight.
Effective work from Cortes.
Boos for Conor Benn
02:00 , George Flood
Heavy boos from the steadily building T-Mobile Arena crowd as Conor Benn is shown on the big screens walking backstage alongside wife Victoria.
Despite some Brits having made the trip to Las Vegas for this one, it looks like being a heavily pro-Garcia audience tonight.
Mark Magsayo vs Andres Cortes
01:58 , George Flood
Magsayo is digging to the body spitefully, but Cortes shakes it off to rattle off more quick-fire shots upstairs.
Cortes is light on his feet and moving well around the ring as the bigger Magsayo tries to lean on him where possible.
Magsayo takes a knee after appearing to be pushed down by Cortes, which is surprisingly ruled a knockdown by the referee, who gives him a count.
Controversial!
A big boost for Cortes, who takes the third. Magsayo is not happy.
Mark Magsayo vs Andres Cortes
01:54 , George Flood
Already a great tussle, this.
Cortes is the busier fighter and looking to piece together the combinations, making his opponent look a step slow at times through two rounds.
But Magsayo is the heavier puncher and there is more venom on his shots, which are cleaner and more eye-catching.
This is going to be a very difficult fight to score, you feel.
Mark Magsayo vs Andres Cortes
01:51 , George Flood
The main card is finally under way at T-Mobile Arena.
A positive start to the first round from both Magsayo and Cortes, who try to let their hands go nice and early.
Both men are busy and boxing well, but the better shots were landed by Magsayo.
Has Conor Benn really put on 32lbs after weigh-in?
01:50 , George Flood
You’ll be unsurprised to hear that there is a great deal of scepticism on the DAZN broadcast regarding the claims that Conor Benn quickly put on 32.4lbs after rehydrating following yesterday’s weigh-in.
Tony Bellew thinks he will likely be somewhere around 168.
Carl Frampton, meanwhile, describes it as likely a “physical impossibility” to put on that much weight in a matter of around 10 hours.
Conor Benn is UP 𝗨𝗣 𝟯𝟮.𝟰 𝗣𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗗𝗦 after rehydrating after today’s final weigh in! 😳💪
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) September 12, 2026
🎟️ Buy #GarciaBenn at https://t.co/yxybEeoyF5 | Sept 12 | Live Exclusively on DAZN in UK & Ireland, plus other select territories | @ringmagazine ▪️ pic.twitter.com/6OU4nlSij8
Conor Benn arrives at T-Mobile Arena
01:41 , George Flood
The challenger is in the building...
TIME TO SHINE ✨
— Ring Magazine (@ringmagazine) September 13, 2026
Conor Benn arrives for the Ryan Garcia fight 🤩#GarciaBenn | Live NOW on @ParamountPlus and @DAZNBoxing 🥊 pic.twitter.com/0ojBL1ZGdO
Conor Benn looking to follow in Nigel's footsteps with WBC title
01:40 , George Flood
It remains very much a family affair for Conor Benn, who is still being supported every step of the way in his career by famous father Nigel.
It would mean a lot to Conor to pick up a WBC world title tonight, with Nigel having reigned as the fearsome WBC super-middleweight champion between 1992-96.
“Ah, it’s a blessing,” Benn said of having his dad by his side. “I mean, there’s not really much more I can say on that.
“It's a huge blessing in my life that me and my dad get to share these moments together and also live it together.
“We do it together, you know? If my dad wasn't here, I wouldn’t be doing it.
“It really is a father-son thing, and it feels that way. I’ll forever be my dad's son, and the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.”
Conor Benn: The pressure is all on Ryan Garcia
01:28 , George Flood
Conor Benn claims the bright lights of Las Vegas hold absolutely no fear for him tonight as he insisted that all the pressure is firmly on defending champion Ryan Garcia.
“I've fought in Vegas before. I headlined in Vegas before at the Cosmo,” Benn said this week.
“I’ve fought in Florida. I fought at Nassau Coliseum in New York. So, it's no secret that I've fought here [in the U.S.], but many times.
“Also, coming off the back of three stadium shows in front of 65,000 people, back-to-back, to then headlining in Vegas, yeah, it definitely puts you in good stead.
“There's no pressure. The pressure's all on Ryan.”
Benn is also relishing his underdog tag, adding: “I always go into every fight with an underdog mentality. Every fight.
“I could be fighting anybody. It's the underdog mentality. It’s the way I prepare.”
Mark Magsayo vs Andres Cortes begins main card
01:23 , George Flood
Tonight’s main card will be under way very shortly at T-Mobile Arena.
It kicks off with a 10-rounder in the lightweight division.
Filipino former WBC featherweight champion Mark Magsayo faces Las Vegas native Andres Cortes.
This is the 29-2 Magsayo’s second fight under the Zuffa Boxing banner, having stopped Ireland’s Feargal McCrory in the fifth round on his lightweight debut in April.
The unbeaten, 25-0 Cortes outpointed Eridson García on that same card at the UFC Apex.
Oswaldo Molina dominates Pablo Rubio in prelim finale
01:12 , George Flood
An entertaining end to a decent prelim bill overall as Oswaldo Molina dominates and deservedly defeats Pablo Rubio by unanimous decision to stay unbeaten and improve to 9-0.
The three judges scored the six-rounder 60-54, 59-55, 59-55 in favour of 19-year-old Mexican prospect ‘Pitufo’, who showed great control and discipline throughout.
Molina is emotional in the ring after the biggest victory of his career so far on certainly the grandest stage.
Ryan Garcia: Conor Benn won't last five rounds
01:08 , George Flood
Ryan Garcia is backing himself to produce an early stoppage in tonight’s blockbuster main event, insisting the fight won’t go beyond five rounds and that Conor Benn’s style is tailor-made for him.
“I'm gonna put a stamp on this fight. This fight's not gonna be close,” he said.
“I understand everybody's all, ‘Oh, Benn this and that,’ but this fight is not going over five [rounds]. It’s five and below.
“I’d be sad if I don’t knock him out in five and below.”
He added: “I’m just too skilled for him.
“This guy, he has a style that just fits perfect for me. He attacks – I don’t have to go looking for him.
“He doesn’t know how to fight any other way. And if he does fight any other way, I win easily… If he does, we’re getting to it.
“There’s no other way. I’m in this. I’m fully equipped, fully in shape. I have no issues. I could go 15-20 rounds. I’m ready.”
Ryan Garcia in the house
Sunday 13 September 2026 00:54 , George Flood
Ryan Garcia has arrived at T-Mobile Arena ahead of tonight’s huge main event, which is approximately three hours away now.
READY FOR HIS FIRST TITLE DEFENSE 😤
— Ring Magazine (@ringmagazine) September 12, 2026
Ryan Garcia has arrived ‼️#GarciaBenn | Live NOW on @ParamountPlus and @DAZNBoxing 🥊 pic.twitter.com/iR4CCs9wTD
Oswaldo Molina vs Pablo Rubio
Sunday 13 September 2026 00:43 , George Flood
It’s time for the headline bout of this early prelim card at T-Mobile Arena.
It’s a six-round showdown between a pair of undefeated lightweight contenders.
9-0 Mexican Oswaldo ‘Pitufo’ Molina is up against Pablo ‘The Shark’ Rubio, who is 15-0.
This could be explosive...
Abel Gonzalez beats Raul Salomon by unanimous decision
Sunday 13 September 2026 00:39 , George Flood
An intriguing eight-round super-middleweight contest between Abel Gonzalez and Raul Salomon, which Gonzalez wins by unanimous decision.
A tough test as expected and he did well to shake off that shock first-round knockdown.
All three judges scored the bout 77-74 in his favour.
‘El Jefe’ moves to 9-0 and remains undefeated.
Conor Benn on weight cut: 'I've been dragged down to the pits of hell'
Sunday 13 September 2026 00:32 , George Flood
So just how tough has this weight cut back down to 147lbs been for Conor Benn, almost four-and-a-half years since he last fought in the division?
"It's been extremely difficult," ‘The Destroyer’ told BBC Sport earlier this week.
"It feels like I've been dragged down to the pits of hell, had a fight with Satan and God brought me back to life.
"Making weight has been the hardest thing I've done. I haven't made weight for four-and-a-half years so it's going to be hard.
"But I won't moan when I'm getting paid a fortune to headline in Vegas for a world title. I know what I signed up for."
Tony Bellew backs Conor Benn for upset knockout
Sunday 13 September 2026 00:26 , George Flood
It is hard to find many current or ex-fighters who are backing Conor Benn to pull off the upset tonight and realise his world title dream in Las Vegas.
However, former WBC cruiserweight champion Tony Bellew believes his compatriot can get the job done by stoppage - picking himself up off the canvas potentially more than once to do so.
"This is a really good fight and it's not as one-sided as everyone thinks,” Bellew told BBC Sport.
“I believe Conor Benn's heart is going to come into question and he's going to have to climb off the floor a couple of times.
"If Garcia has taken this lightly in any way he will lose, but he's in great shape and is saying the right things in the build-up.
“But I'm still going for a Conor Benn knockout inside eight rounds."
Eddie Hearn makes Ryan Garcia vs Conor Benn prediction
Sunday 13 September 2026 00:21 , George Flood
Ryan Garcia enters tonight’s main event against Conor Benn as the clear favourite, though as ever it will likely depend almost entirely on what version of the massively talented but majorly unpredictable Garcia we get.
Benn’s former long-time promoter Eddie Hearn has huge concerns about Benn being back down at 147lbs, insisting he doesn’t hit hard enough at the weight and won’t withstand getting caught flush by Garcia.
Hearn told Boxing News that he could “see the pain in his eyes” from such a difficult weight cut.
“If he gets hit flush on the chin at 147lbs against Ryan Garcia, the fight is over,” Hearn said.
“So he’s got to rely on his ability but he likes to engage, he likes to jump in.
“Ryan is so reactive, he’s a great counter-puncher but Ryan can also be hurt, but I don’t think Conor is going to punch hard enough at 147lbs.
“You only have to look at him to know and that is now. Conor trains so hard, I know we have had our differences but his work ethic is incredible.
“What he is doing to his body, consistently, whilst being depleted, is really, really hard work.
“You can see it in his face. I can actually see it in his eyes, I can see the pain in his eyes.”
Ryan Garcia vs Conor Benn ring walk times
Sunday 13 September 2026 00:13 , George Flood
An update now on the anticipated ring walk times for tonight’s massive main event between Ryan Garcia and Conor Benn.
DAZN are estimating that it will be around 3:30am BST, which is earlier than I’d expected.
That is 10:30pm ET and 7:30pm PT in the United States.
🚨 Estimated ringwalk times in the UK for Ryan Garcia vs. Conor Benn🚨
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) September 12, 2026
DO NOT MISS IT!
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Abel Gonzalez vs Raul Salomon
Sunday 13 September 2026 00:08 , George Flood
Well, that certainly wasn’t in the script!
Gonzalez is caught flush with a short right hand and goes down in the first.
How will he respond?
Abel Gonzalez vs Raul Salomon
Sunday 13 September 2026 00:03 , George Flood
Our penultimate prelim contest at T-Mobile Arena is an eight-rounder in the super-middleweight division.
The undefeated Abel ‘El Jefe’ Gonzalez will look to improve to 9-0 against Mexico’s Raul ‘Money’ Salomon.
This could be a stern test for Gonzalez.
Vlad Panin targeting swift rise up the welterweight ranks
Sunday 13 September 2026 00:00 , George Flood
A confident post-fight interview in the ring with Vlad Panin, who described that fight as a “cakewalk”.
He says he’d like Zuffa to set him up next with another “cakewalk” against the likes of Devin Haney, Richardson Hitchins or even the winner of Ryan Garcia vs Conor Benn.
“None of the other welterweights at Zuffa want to fight me. I’m a six foot welterweight who can punch and box,” he says.
Dominant Vlad Panin stops Dakota Linger in round four
Saturday 12 September 2026 23:53 , George Flood
It’s all over in round four between Vlad Panin and Dakota Linger.
The referee rightly steps in with Linger defenceless against the ropes and the ruthless Panin raining down a non-stop flurry of heavy shots.
An extremely dominant performance from ‘Super Bad’, who registers his fourth successive stoppage to move to 25-2.
It’s an eighth professional defeat for Linger, who did very well to last that long.
He could easily have gone in the first.
Chris Eubank Jr sends Ryan Garcia support before Conor Benn fight
Saturday 12 September 2026 23:48 , George Flood
No prizes for guessing who Conor Benn’s arch-rival is supporting in tonight’s main event...
Get the job done kid. pic.twitter.com/NYGdDgkgws
— Chris Eubank Jr (@ChrisEubankJr) September 12, 2026
Vlad Panin vs Dakota Linger
Saturday 12 September 2026 23:46 , George Flood
Total and utter domination at the moment from Panin, who is mercilessly beating down Linger with a variety of shots to both head and body.
A wincing left hook behind the elbow really jolts Linger, who eats a succession of punishing blows upstairs including a stinging uppercut.
“You need to show me something Linger,” is the demand from the referee.
His corner say likewise.
Vlad Panin vs Dakota Linger
Saturday 12 September 2026 23:42 , George Flood
The early prelim fights continue to come thick and fast in Las Vegas.
We’re up in the super-welterweight division now for a six-rounder between Vlad Panin from Belarus and American Dakota Linger.
It’s been a very tough start for Linger, who was hurt by Panin up against the ropes in a one-sided first round.
He’s checked by the doctor before the start of the second, with the referee told to keep a close eye on him.
This may not last long...
Ryan Garcia expecting 'dirty tactics' from Conor Benn
Saturday 12 September 2026 23:39 , George Flood
Ryan Garcia says that he expects Conor Benn to try to resort to “dirty tactics” in order to bridge what he considers to be a huge talent disparity between the two fighters in tonight’s main event.
“Conor’s going to try real hard,” Garcia said.
“He’s probably going to have to try to resort to some dirty tactics, so we’ll be prepared for that.
“And we’re just going to do what we do best, which is stay sharp and be ready for everything.
“We’re conditioned 100 percent and we’ll put on a hell of a show, I promise you that.”
Alexis Rocha beats Jose Ramirez by wide margin
Saturday 12 September 2026 23:35 , George Flood
Rocha does take it, by a far wider margin than I think anyone was expecting.
The judges score it 98-91, 98-91 and 97-92 in his favour.
The right winner, but those lopsided scores seem extremely harsh on Ramirez, who certainly played his part in a thrilling scrap.
A damaging third straight defeat for Ramirez, who is now 29-4.
Rocha improves to 27-2-1 after back-to-back wins.
Jose Ramirez vs Alexis Rocha
Saturday 12 September 2026 23:31 , George Flood
Both men go all out in a pulsating final round, really throwing caution to the wind and letting their hands go in a firefight.
Rocha is not letting that terrible cut affect him in the slightest.
The final bell sounds and we go to the scorecards.
Will Rocha edge it with that ninth-round knockdown?
Jose Ramirez vs Alexis Rocha
Saturday 12 September 2026 23:29 , George Flood
This has been an absolutely superb fight that deserved a far loftier billing.
Rocha has blood streaming down from a nasty cut, but he still manages to secure a potentially pivotal knockdown at close range in the ninth.
The referee says replays will be examined after the round to determine if it was a legitimate knockdown...
Conor Benn: I will bring tenacity, ferocity, spite and experience
Saturday 12 September 2026 23:27 , George Flood
Conor Benn insists he won’t be overawed by the size of the occasion in Las Vegas tonight as he competes for a world title for the first time in his 10-year professional career, while he is also unfazed by Ryan Garcia’s theatrics in the build-up to the fight.
“I don’t focus on him and what he does, I focus on what I do. I bring tenacity, ferocity, spite, experience,” Benn said yesterday.
“I’ve been here before. I’ve fought in front of 70,000 three times now, on the bounce.
“So you know I’m here to come and really set the tone from the first round.”
Jose Ramirez vs Alexis Rocha
Saturday 12 September 2026 23:21 , George Flood
We’ve mentioned it already, but it’s so odd watching a fighter of Jose Ramirez’s calibre buried so deep on an undercard like this.
Second on the prelim bill with barely any fans in attendance yet.
It’s been an entertaining last few rounds in his showdown with fellow Golden Boy welterweight Alexis Rocha, who was previously top five in the division.
Ramirez dominated through the first half of the fight, but Rocha has battled back wonderfully and made this a proper contest - rocking Ramirez a couple of times.
This is very close heading into the penultimate round...
Ryan Garcia taunts Conor Benn in bizarre final press conference
Saturday 12 September 2026 23:15 , George Flood
As expected, fight week ahead of Ryan Garcia vs Conor Benn has been anything but dull.
Garcia didn’t even show up for the first scheduled face-off in Las Vegas on Tuesday, but later produced a bizarre performance at a somewhat strange final press conference on Thursday in which he taunted Benn by eating a boiled egg.
The two rivals exchanged plenty more angry words, expletives and insults, with no love lost between them.
"He has a lot of familiarity with eggs so I thought I'd eat some," Garcia taunted.
Benn, meanwhile, was wearing a bulletproof style vest.
"All the talking, tweeting, typing and streaming is done - I'm ready to fight," Benn said.
Yesterday’s ceremonial weigh-in passed surprisingly without incident.
Jose Ramirez vs Alexis Rocha
Saturday 12 September 2026 23:07 , George Flood
Another all-American bout is currently in progress as the early prelim bill continues.
It’s a welterweight 10-rounder between Jose Ramirez and Alexis Rocha.
A very early undercard spot for Ramirez, the 34-year-old former unified super-lightweight world champion and 2012 Olympian who was edged by Josh Taylor in that memorable undisputed showdown in Las Vegas back in 2021.
This is his first outing since his back-to-back defeats by Arnold Barboza Jr and Devin Haney that dropped him to 29-3.
He is thoroughly on top at the moment against Rocha.
Ryan Garcia's brother Sean beats Abraham Morales in opener
Saturday 12 September 2026 22:59 , George Flood
Our first prelim result is officially in the books at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
In the opening bout of the night, Ryan Garcia’s younger brother Sean has earned a majority decision win over Abraham Morales in a lightweight six-rounder.
Two judges scored the contest 58-54 in Garcia’s favour, while a third had it as a 56-56 draw.
‘Sugar Rush’ moves to 7-1-1 in the professional ranks.
Conor Benn gains astonishing 32lbs after weigh-in
Saturday 12 September 2026 22:53 , George Flood
Despite all the concerns this week about Conor Benn making weight, he did so successfully yesterday as he tipped the scales at 146lbs - his lightest official weight for some seven years.
Ryan Garcia, meanwhile, came in fractionally lighter at 145.5lbs.
However, unlike for both of Benn’s super-middleweight fights with Chris Eubank Jr, there is no rehydration clause in place for this bout.
That means that there is no limit to how much weight each fighter can pack on between the final weigh-in and the bout itself.
Footage that later circulated widely on social media showed Benn apparently weighing 178.4lbs after rehydrating, meaning he had put on an absolutely remarkable 32.4lbs in just a matter of hours.
Conor Benn is nearly 180lbs just HOURS after weighing in at 146lbs 🤯 #GarciaBenn l Saturday in Las Vegas 🥊 pic.twitter.com/GxxfUnNakH
— Ring Magazine (@ringmagazine) September 12, 2026
Ryan Garcia vs Conor Benn prediction
Saturday 12 September 2026 22:44 , George Flood
It is very difficult to know quite what to expect in Las Vegas tonight, which is what makes this title bout so intriguing.
Conor Benn was largely dominated in his first fight against arch-rival Chris Eubank Jr, returned the favour in the rematch and then made surprisingly hard work of veteran former super-lightweight world champion Regis Prograis, who announced his retirement immediately afterwards.
We have not seen Benn compete at welterweight for almost four-and-a-half years, while he worryingly admitted this week that he had been “dragged down to the pits of hell” during his weight cut and would immediately vacate the title if he beats Ryan Garcia before moving back up.
How he handles that gruelling cut is likely to prove a crucial factor, with the likes of former opponent Chris Algieri having expressed concern over pictures of Benn looking “drawn” and gaunt after twice fighting Eubank Jr at 160lbs and weighed as much as 185lbs.
Garcia is even more unpredictable, outclassing an unconvincing champion in Mario Barrios after being majorly upset by Rolando ‘Rolly’ Romero.
He was brushed aside by Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis and beat up Devin Haney in a shocker, only to later be handed a one-year ban as the result of that latter fight was changed to a ‘no contest’.
Sublime on his day, there is simply no guessing what version of Garcia you might get for any given fight.
But if he’s fully focused and puts together that power and mesmerising hand speed, he is one of the best in the business.
Fireworks appear guaranteed in likely one of the fights of the year, but we expect a drained Benn to fall short in surely his last welterweight clash.
Garcia to win by decision.
Garcia vs Benn fight card in full
Saturday 12 September 2026 22:39 , George Flood
Main card
Ryan Garcia vs Conor Benn
Jai Opetaia vs Noel Mikaelian
Da'Mazion Vanhouter vs Raphael Akpejiori
Mark Magsayo vs Andres Cortes
Prelims
Oswaldo Molina vs Pablo Rubio Jr
Abel Gonzalez vs Raul Salomon
Vlad Panin vs Dakota Linger
Jose Ramirez vs Alexis Rocha
Sean Garcia vs Abraham Morales
How to watch Garcia vs Benn
Saturday 12 September 2026 22:35 , George Flood
TV channel and live stream: Ryan Garcia vs Conor Benn is available to watch live and exclusively in the UK and Ireland via DAZN pay-per-view and DAZN Ultimate, at a cost of £24.99.
Those who have purchased the event can watch it live on the DAZN website and app, which is available through a variety of platforms including smart TVs, mobile phones, games consoles, tablets and more.
The event is being streamed live on Paramount+ in the USA.
Ryan Garcia vs Conor Benn live
Saturday 12 September 2026 22:30 , George Flood
Hello and welcome to Standard Sport’s live coverage of Ryan Garcia vs Conor Benn.
A huge night of boxing is on the way in Las Vegas, where Benn hopes to become a world champion for the first time as he competes for the WBC welterweight title on his first return to the division since April 2022.
Standing in his way is the wildly unpredictable but hugely talented Garcia, who makes the first defence of the belt he took so easily from Mario Barrios earlier this year.
The main card action at T-Mobile Arena begins at 1am BST, 8pm ET and 5pm PT, but there’s plenty of prelim bouts coming up before then.
Stay tuned...
