Ryan Garcia Walks the Talk, KOs Conor Benn in Two Rounds

September 13, 2026 · Yahoo Sports

What to Know

Ryan Garcia delivered a stunning second-round knockout win over Conor Benn to successfully defend his WBC World Welterweight title
Garcia used the same right hook that won him the championship over Mario Barrios to knock out Benn.
Garcia says he’d next like to face WBA World Welterweight champion Teofimo Lopez in a unification fight on Cinco de Mayo in May 2027.

If you know anything about Ryan Garcia, you know he has a lot to say, and you know he has a wicked left hook.

For all the talking Ryan Garcia did ahead of his fight on Saturday defending his WBC World Welterweight title against Conor Benn, Garcia did exactly what he said he was going to do.

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Garcia of Victorville, California (26-2, 21 KOs) said he would stop Benn of Essex, England (25-2, 14 KOs) in less than five rounds. He only needed two rounds to end the fight in front of a crowd of 18,855 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

But it wasn’t the much-admired left hook that got it done.

Firefight From Start To Quick Finish for Garcia and Benn

Garcia and Benn locked eyes shortly after entering the ring. They looked like twitchy sprinters at the starting line, and they raced toward each other at the center of the ring at the opening bell.

The firefight was on. True to his style, Benn pressed forward toward Garcia, who moved briskly around the ring, putting himself in position and firing off punches. Benn had his eye on Garcia’s left hand, trying to ensure he didn’t get caught by it.

Barely a minute into the second round as the pair exchanged punches, Benn avoided a left hand from Garcia, who then followed with a perfect right hook to the chin, catching Benn swinging toward him. He never saw it coming. Benn dropped forward to his knees, crawling to steady himself.

Ryan Garcia places a perfect right hook on Conor Benn, scoring a knockdown leading to a TKO2 win. Photo: Al Powers/Zuffa Boxing via Getty Images

Benn beat the count by referee Thomas Taylor, but the damage was obvious, and the end was near. Garcia swarmed him and unloaded in a fusillade of punches, pushing Benn back toward the ropes. Benn was doing his best to avoid shots, but took at least one hard chopping shot to the temple. Taylor didn’t let the punishment go on for too long before he stepped in to stop the fight at 1:25 of round two.

It was a stunning outcome. For the second fight in a row, Garcia ended the fight with the same right hand that hurt and stopped Mario Barrios in May. Later, Garcia said his right-hand output has been hampered by injuries, but he is finally injury-free.

Referee Thomas Taylor moves in to stop the fight. Photo: Al Powers/Zuffa Boxing via Getty Images

Dana White Congratulates Ryan Garcia, Says Conor Benn’s Future Will Be Discussed Later

Zuffa Boxing promoter Dana White said Benn was taken to a local hospital for examination as a precaution. He added that he encouraged Benn to go home to his family, rest, and they would discuss his future at a later time.

White congratulated Garcia on his win.

“He did everything he said he was going to do, and he’s got knockout power. He’s a good-looking kid. He speaks well, and he ducks nobody. This kid wants to fight everybody, you know, and that’s what any fight fan likes. Whether you follow UFC, boxing, kickboxing, I don’t care what you follow, that’s what people like,” said White.

Ryan Garcia: “I Feel at Peace”

“It’s surprising. I feel at peace,” said Garcia after his win. “I think that’s because in my back room, we were playing worship music the whole time, praising my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I got that joy, and I got that peace. That feels great.”

Garcia thanked Benn for a great buildup and a great match, expressing his respect. Taking a moment, he then addressed the fans after hearing criticisms that he doesn’t truly represent Mexican culture on boxing’s Mexican Independence Day weekend as a non-Spanish-speaking Mexican-American.

“I’m blessed to fight on this day. Mexico Independence Day. I want to say a few words from my heart about this, about me being Mexican-American. I know some people don’t see me as Mexican because I don’t speak Spanish. Just know, my love never goes away from you guys. I always love you, and I will always fight strong. Viva Mexico!” The roars of approval signaled that any hard feelings were forgiven.

Bring on Teofimo Lopez Next

Teofimo Lopez is stopped by security and prevented from coming into the ring after Ryan Garcia defeated Conor Benn. Photo: Al Powers/Zuffa Boxing via Getty Images

Garcia then called out WBA World Welterweight champion Teofimo Lopez Jr., who was ringside. Unlike in the co-main when David Benavidez was allowed in the ring with Jai Opetaia, security prevented Lopez from doing the same.

“You wanna get crazy? We can get crazy. It really don’t matter. I’ll fight him right now. I’ll beat your ass right now!” declared Garcia.

As for the rest of the welterweight division rivals, Garcia said, “We gotta clear this shit out. Hopefully we get to beat Devin Haney’s ass again for undisputed. Fuck the Haneys!”

Later during the post-fight show, Garcia said he and Benavidez had discussed joining forces as co-main events against their respective opponents next Cinco de Mayo. With two seemingly willing dance partners in Jai Opetaia and Teofimo Lopez, boxing fans will finally get a Cinco De Mayo fight card worthy of its legacy.

Garcia has one more fight under the Golden Boy Boxing banner. Certain reporters, perhaps unaware of Garcia’s situation or the arrangements, asked Dana White about Garcia’s future as if he was the promoter of record, which he is not.

Garcia’s promoter Oscar De La Hoya did not participate during fight week and did not show up Saturday at the T-Mobile Arena, despite a video tease put up on his social media feed on Friday.

When asked, White said, “Let me explain something to you. I do not like De La Hoya, and De La Hoya does not like me. I would never disrespect him and say, oh, he shows up here, and we treat him like shit. I would call him on the phone and say, ‘hey, don’t fucking show up to this event because we’re not going to treat you well.’ That was not the case. Why he didn’t show up, I don’t know.”

Ryan Garcia: Trials Built Me Into A Champion

Garcia said his recent performances come from conquering his personal demons.

“It takes a lot of soul searching. You have to really reflect in yourself and really acknowledge your mistakes and make sure that you clean up everything that’s inside.

“You know, everybody has skeletons in their basement that they don’t address at times, and a lot of pressure builds up. But all those, you know, trials and tribulations-they built me to be the champion that I was when I fought (Mario) Barrios, and now it’s continuing,” with the win over Conor Benn, said Garcia.

He also acknowledged struggling with fame. “The world is loud, you know, especially when you’re in this position, and you have everything at your disposal. It could go sideways quick. And thank God that I have God in my heart, and He brought me back and placed me in this position. And I can’t thank God enough for all the wisdom He gives me.”

Garcia also said the decision to return to his father, Henry, as his trainer has been key to his recent success.

“Without a doubt. My dadwaswithmeintheamateursthewholetime.Hewaswithmeinmywholeprocareer,prettymuchjustasaco-trainer.Everythingjustkindoffitinlikeapuzzlenow.Wegotalltheexperiencefromalltheworld-class trainers,theHallofFamers.Whatmoreistheretoreallylearnfrom?

“Now wegottoputeverythingtogether.Makesurewerefinetheskills.Makesurewekeepevolvingasateam,andeverything’sgoingtobegreat,” said Garcia.

Announced by Zuffa Boxing:

Gross Total Revenue: $8,030,075.85 (Announced Live Gate)
Attendance: 18,855 (Sold Out)
Performance Of The Night: Da’Mazion Vanhouter and Oswaldo Molina
Fight Of The Night: Abel Gonzalez vs Raul Salomon

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