Conor Benn suffered a quick defeat by Ryan Garcia on Saturday, as the American stopped the Briton in two rounds in Las Vegas.
Benn was fighting for a world title for the first time, challenging Garcia for the WBC welterweight belt. Garcia, 28, handed Benn, 29, his first stoppage loss, retaining the title courtesy of a huge right hook in round two. The shot dropped Benn, who beat the referee's count but was overwhelmed by the ensuing onslaught.
Benn had started with heavy pressure, while Garcia looked to counter with his trademark left hook. One such punch had Benn stumbling somewhat in the first round, but Garcia sealed the stoppage with his right.
"I've always had a right hand, but I've always had injuries," Garcia said in the ring after the fight. "I'm just happy, man, I'm blessed."
Garcia added: "I wanna thank Conor for a great build-up, a great match. I'm blessed to fight on this day, Mexican Independence [Weekend]."
The fight followed a build-up that proved controversial due to each boxer's drug-test controversies. In 2022, Benn failed two drug tests and was provisionally suspended from boxing in the UK, before he was cleared to do so in 2024. Also in 2024, Garcia failed a drug test and served a one-year ban. Both fighters maintained their innocence throughout the episodes.
Benn was quick to congratulate Garcia after the bout, which marked Benn's second-ever professional loss, following his points defeat by Chris Eubank Jr last April.
After Saturday's result, Benn's attention may turn back to Eubank Jr, with whom he traded wins in 2025. After Eubank Jr outpointed his compatriot at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Benn returned the favour in the same venue in November. Both bouts took place at middleweight, and Benn may feel his days fighting below that division are done.
Meanwhile, Garcia could be set for an all-American clash with Teofimo Lopez, who recently won the WBA welterweight title and faced off with Garcia in the ring.