CONOR BENN has revealed what comes next after his brutal defeat to Ryan Garcia – admitting he does not yet have the answer over his boxing future.
The British star’s world-title dream went up in smoke in Las Vegas as Garcia, 28, needed just four minutes and 25 seconds of fighting time to brutally get the job done.
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And worryingly for Benn, the WBC welterweight champion barely appeared to get out of first gear before bringing the fight to a devastating end.
Garcia quickly found his range before a crushing right hand that dumped Benn on the canvas in the second round.
The American then piled on the pressure until referee Thomas Taylor stepped in and put Benn out of his misery.
The one-sided defeat has left major questions over where Benn goes from here.
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Benn went straight into world level without going through the traditional apprenticeship of Area, English, British, Commonwealth and European title fights.
And the debate over whether he had done enough to earn a world-title shot has intensified.
Despite his huge clashes with Chris Eubank Jr and victory over former world champion Regis Prograis – the ease with which Garcia dismantled The Destroyer will only add fuel to that debate.
Benn, 29, has now addressed his future in an emotional social-media statement, writing: “Everybody keeps asking ‘What’s next for Conor Benn?’
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“The truth is, I don’t have the answer.”
He added: “If you’d asked the 19 year old version of me whether I thought I’d be standing here ten years later, having lived through everything I have, I’d have told you that you were crazy.”
Benn also admitted his family had paid the biggest price for his boxing career, saying his children had “sacrificed time with their Dad” while he chased his dream.
And rather than immediately plotting another comeback, Benn revealed his next move is a far simpler one.
He wrote: “So when people ask me what’s next for Conor Benn, right now the answer is simple.
“Time with my kids.”
Benn also thanked those who travelled to Vegas and the fans who stayed up into the early hours to watch him, insisting he would never take their support for granted “especially on those nights things don’t go to plan”.
But once the dust settles, Benn and his team face a huge decision over what comes next.
A rebuild would normally mean easing back in with a couple of lower-risk fights, but that may not be so straightforward after Benn signed a multi-fight deal with Dana White’s Zuffa Boxing.
White has built his reputation in the UFC by matching leading names competitively rather than protecting them, meaning Benn may not be afforded the luxury of a lengthy rebuild.
A trilogy fight with Eubank Jr would appear the most obvious big-money option should Benn decide to carry on.
Benn has already boxed Eubank twice at middleweight and previously admitted he would even be willing to face his rival one weight heavier at 168lbs.
That could become an even more attractive option after Benn struggled to get himself back down to the 147lb welterweight limit for Garcia.
For now, though, another fight is the last thing on his mind.
Benn will also face a medical suspension following the knockout, with fighters routinely handed enforced rest periods by athletic commissions after bouts – particularly following stoppage defeats.
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Exactly what comes next remains unclear.
But after the most damaging night of his career, one thing Benn has made clear is that boxing can wait while he spends some much-needed time with his family.
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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.
In his first world title fight, Conor Benn has been beaten in TWO ROUNDS by WBC champion Ryan Garcia.
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 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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