By Raffaele Fratto
During the hyper-contentious pre-fight buildup, WBC welterweight champion Ryan Garcia told everyone who would listen, including his challenger, Conor Benn, “It won’t go five rounds.” He didn’t lie as it didn’t go TWO! The first round was high energy from the opening bell. Conor stalking and Ryan using his speed to control the distance. Ryan’s left hook found a home early and often but Conor’s concern for the hook put him in harm’s way as a smashing right hand stopped Benn is his tracks dropping him hard. Garcia let his hands do the talking now and left referee Thomas Taylor no choice to step in stopping Benn from sustaining further damage. The official time of 1:25 of the second round. Garcia improves to 26-2, 21 KOs. Benn loses badly in his first title shot, falling to 25-2, 14 KOs.
Garcia immediately called out WBA champ Teofimo Lopez, who was ringside. Security wouldn’t allow Lopez into the ring and it was likely a prudent move as things got wild despite both men being on opposite sides of the ropes. Let’s hope this is yet another super-fight borne of the results of tonight’s victories.
