CONOR BENN has been warned his 2st weight cut and world title fight with power puncher Ryan Garcia carries a serious risk of brain damage.
The 28-year-old American was concerned that Benn, 29, – who claims to weigh around 180lbs outside of training camps – would miss the 147lb championship limit.
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So he successfully petitioned the Nevada commission to ensure that the usual 8oz gloves would still be used for the bout, when anything above welterweight calls for a move to 10oz mitts.
Around 9am in Las Vegas on Friday morning both men completed the challenge, with Benn hitting the scales at 146lb and Garcia another pound lighter.
But the ruthless American warned his rival that such a drastic dehydration carries serious risks – especially against a left hook as lethal as his.
Garcia growled: “I made sure that if he didn’t make the weight I still got to use the 8oz weapons, they are more deadly. I don’t want to fight with 10oz gloves.
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Ryan Garcia vs Conor Benn: Date, time, TV channel, live stream & undercard
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“He said he will be 170lb or more on the night and we have had heavy sparring partners so we aren’t worried about that.
“The bigger problem is his brain won’t rehydrate the right way, so if I don’t get him out of there early then he could be in real danger.
“This ass whooping could be brutal. He’s in a world title fight at 147lb and he can’t rehydrate his brain safely.”
Garcia is no stranger to outrageous comments but he has a point about the cerebrospinal fluid that cushions the brain being the most serious victim of drastic dehydration – especially in combat sport.
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Garcia vs Benn – all the info
Ryan Garcia will make the first defence of his WBC welterweight title against British superstar Conor Benn THIS Saturday.
The blockbuster Las Vegas event is under the arm of Dana White’s Zuffa Boxing promotion.
Garcia, 28, captured his first world title in February by securing a dominant unanimous decision victory over Mario Barrios.
Benn, 29, is challenging for a world title for the first time in his professional career.
His sole professional defeat came against domestic rival Chris Eubank Jr in April 2025, a loss he quickly avenged with a dominant unanimous decision victory in their November 2025 rematch.
Benn enters the biggest bout of his life following a decisive points win over former world champion Regis Prograis in April, which marked his debut under Zuffa Boxing.
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There’s a massive year of boxing ahead!
It has already been a blockbuster year inside the ring, and it is not going to stop anytime soon!
All eyes are focused on when Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury will get in the ring, with the pair due to finally settle their decade-long rivalry.
Conor Benn fights for his first world title one week later against Ryan Garcia in Las Vegas – it is The Destroyer’s second bout for Dana White’s Zuffa Boxing.
October’s action doesn’t stop either, with Fabio Wardley and Daniel Dubois facing off in the rematch of their thrilling fight in May, while Canelo Alvarez returns against Christian Mbili on Halloween.
Here’s all the big fights coming up…
September
- Sat 12 – Conor Benn vs Ryan Garcia – DAZN
- Sep 12 – Jai Opetaia vs Noel Mikaelian
- Sat 19 – Isaac Cruz vs Nestor Bravo – DAZN
October
- Sat 3 – Ben Whittaker vs Conor Wallace – DAZN
- Sat 17 – Daniel Dubois vs Fabio Wardley 2 – DAZN
- Sat 31 – Canelo Alvarez vs Christian Mbili – DAZN
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However it was unclear why he pointed to 62-year-old British ring legend Nigel Benn – Conor’s dad – as the man taking risks with his son’s safety.
Garcia said: “If he doesn’t come out of that ring healthy, it’s his dad’s fault, he’s in danger here.”
Benn did look scrawny on the scales but he was typically bullish stripping down to his white y-fronts and even keeping his cap on to add a couple of often crucial ounces.
But he admitted in Sin City that he won’t even defend the belt – if he pulls off the upset – and could leap as many as three divisions next.
“This is my last fight at 147lb,” he said. “I always wanted a world title at 147lb.
“I would not have made the weight for any other fight. Next I am moving up to 160lb and 168lb.”