British boxer Conor Benn has been hit with a medical suspension from boxing after his painful defeat to Ryan Garcia on Saturday night. The 29-year-old was taken to hospital after losing to Garcia in their WBC welterweight title fight in Las Vegas.
Benn suffered a second-round loss after the referee brought it to an end within six minutes. He initially rose from the canvas after being floored by a devastating right hand early in the round at T-Mobile Arena. But the American capitalised on his advantage, delivering a barrage of punches which pinned Benn against the ropes until the referee intervened.
Automatic suspension rules
After being taken to hospital, Benn now faces a period out of boxing. The British Board of Boxing Control (BBBofC) automatically issues a minimum suspension of 28 days for any fighter who suffers a TKO loss, which can be extended to 45 days. The ban includes sparring as well as competing.
Benn was confronting a considerable leap in quality against an opponent famed for his hand speed. That speed was on display from the opening moments as Garcia connected with a left hook. The English fighter was caught by another left in the first round, but replied with a body shot of his own. However, he could do little to prevent Garcia in the second as he suffered his second loss in 27 bouts.
Fighter reactions
Benn later took to social media to say: "Not my night, no excuses. Ryan Garcia, you're a great champion."
After retaining his title, Garcia said: "I've always had a right hand but it's always been injured. I was so prepared and so focused, and what a performance. I knew he was going to put me under pressure in the first round so I let him have his way a little bit. Then in the next round I stood my ground a little bit. He was coming in reckless and you can't do that with me; he would have been better running around for the first three rounds. I've got thunder in both hands and they're ready to go. I'm here, I'm the champion and I'm not going to f*** around."
