Conor Benn has been rushed to hospital following his second-round loss to Ryan Garcia in Las Vegas, where the American retained his WBC welterweight title.
Benn's bid to claim the WBC welterweight crown ended in heartbreak after six minutes at T-Mobile Arena. The British boxer managed to get back on his feet after being dropped by a crushing right hand in the second round, but Garcia unleashed a flurry of blows that trapped Benn against the ropes, prompting the referee to stop the fight.
Precautionary hospital visit
Zuffa Boxing boss Dana White confirmed Benn was taken to hospital as a precautionary measure. During a post-fight press conference, he stated: "I don't know if he went already but we definitely want to send him." He added: "I don't mess with that stuff, everybody should be checked out."
Step up in class
Fighting at 147lbs since 2022, Benn was facing a significant step up in class against a rival renowned for his lightning-fast hands. The shift in pace was evident from the very start as Garcia landed a left hook on Benn. The British boxer was caught by another left in the opening round, though he responded with a body blow of his own. But he was powerless to stop Garcia in the second round as he endured his second defeat in 27 fights.
Benn's response and Garcia's reaction
Benn later wrote on social media: "Not my night, no excuses. Ryan Garcia, you're a great champion."
Following his title defence, Garcia stated: "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."
"It went exactly as I imagined it. We knew he was going to put pressure on me with the idea I was going to fold somehow and get tired, but you can't jump in like that. He was exactly what I thought he was. He just needs more experience; I don't think he has enough at this point but I think he will be back."
