Tony Bellew believes Conor Benn has a chance of knocking out Ryan Garcia.
Benn challenges Garcia for his WBC welterweight world title at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on September 12.
‘The Destroyer’ is the betting underdog to dethrone the American, who captured the belt with a unanimous decision win over Mario Barrios in February.
Garcia won a world title at a third attempt, bouncing back from a lacklustre showing against Rolando Romero in a bid for the WBA welterweight crown last May.
Former cruiserweight world champion, Bellew believes Benn could stop his rival if he puts in a display similar to what he produced against Romero.
“If both of these fighters are at their best,” the 43-year-old said on Fight Your Corner.
“Ryan Garcia’s a clear favourite.
“But there’s another side to that coin.
“If the Ryan Garcia that got in with Rolly Romero gets in, Conor Benn could knock him out.
“Conor Benn has a bit more than a puncher’s chance, because Conor is really fit and Conor can go at a pace in round one and maintain it right through to round 12.
“He’s also shown in his last few fights that he can stick to a game plan.”
Benn returns to 147 pounds for the first time in over four years with his last bout contested at 150 pounds in a dominant points win over Regis Prograis in April.
Bellew believes ‘King Ry’ is underestimating the Brit and this could be to his detriment.
“If Ryan Garcia walks into that ring and thinks ‘this fella is crap, he’s not very good’,” he added.
“Conor’s not, but Ryan Garcia can be that deluded sometimes that he genuinely believes that.
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“So he could walk to the ring thinking, ‘I’ve got a touch here.’
“And then before you know it lad, you’re on the floor and then you’re getting asked questions.
“I’m giving Conor a chance.”
