Garcia TKOs Benn in 2nd round to defend welterweight title

Nick Baldwin• ·
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - SEPTEMBER 12: WBC welterweight champion Ryan Garcia (R) punches Conor Benn in the second round of a title fight at T-Mobile Arena on September 12, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Garcia retained his title with a second-round TKO.
Steve Marcus / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Ryan Garcia made a huge statement in his highly anticipated fight with Conor Benn.

Garcia defeated Benn via TKO at the 1:25 mark of the second round to retain the WBC welterweight championship Saturday night at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Garcia pummeled Benn with a flurry of punches against the ropes to force the referee stoppage.

Earlier in the round, Garcia dropped Benn with a massive right hand.

Garcia, one of the biggest stars in boxing, retained the 147-pound title for the first time since dethroning Mario Barrios in February.

After the win, Garcia called for a fight with Teofimo Lopez, who beat Rolly Romero to claim the WBA welterweight belt in August. Lopez was in attendance Saturday and tried to storm the ring during Garcia's postfight interview.

Garcia has won consecutive fights for the first time since 2022, lifting his professional record to 26-2 (1 NC) with 21 knockouts. The victory over Benn cements the 28-year-old American as one of the top welterweights in the world after he experienced mixed results over the last few years, including a no-contest against Devin Haney in 2024 and a loss to Romero in 2025.

Benn suffered the first knockout loss of his career. The 29-year-old Englishman fell to 25-2 as a professional, with his other defeat coming via unanimous decision to Chris Eubank Jr. in April 2025. Benn avenged that result seven months later.

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