Garcia vs Benn results: Ryan Garcia delivered a brutal knockout to dash Conor Benn’s world title dream, stopping the Brit in a vicious second-round destruction in Las Vegas on Saturday
Garcia floored Benn with a hard right hand in the second round and despite the Brit climbing off the canvas, a series of follow-up punches prompted referee Thomas Taylor to call a halt to the contest at T-Mobile Arena.
The 28-year-old successfully defended his WBC welterweight world title for the first time.
Benn made the 147 pound limit for the first time in over four years at Friday’s weigh in. However, question marks remained over how he’d be able to recover by the time he was in the ring with Garcia.
In fact, the answers were evident from the opening round, which exploded into life, as the pair traded frantically.
Garcia was more accurate with his timing and a left hook staggered ‘The Destroyer’ back.
Benn marched forward, but struggled to make a dent in the American and his hopes of causing a stunning upset were soon over in a flash.
The Brit was dipping and evading some of Garcia’s attacks in the opening round, but a brief lapse in concentration saw him pay dearly.
Ryan Garcia Knockout: How the Fight Ended
Garcia detonated a right hand on Benn’s chin, dropping him to the canvas.
The 29-year-old landed on his right knee and was able to make it to his feet.
However, Garcia refused to let him off the hook. He reined in thunderous combinations, while Benn was pinned up to the ropes and grabbing desperately.
Yet, despite his best efforts to evade the attacks, the referee jumped to Benn’s aid, perhaps slightly prematurely.
Garcia defended the welterweight title he captured with victory over Mario Barrios in February.
Meanwhile, Benn suffered the second defeat of his professional career.
Opetaia stops Mikaelian, confronted by David Benavidez
While the Garcia vs Benn results dominated headlines, the co-feature saw Jai Opetaia deliver his own statement stoppage over Noel Mikaelian. Opetaia was then confronted by David Benavidez in the ring.
Mikaelian’s WBC cruiserweight title was not on the line after he opted to face Opetaia rather than Benavidez.
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Opetaia finished the Armenian though in style. A left hook stunned him, before a two-fisted combination sent him crashing into the ropes and a knockdown was scored.
With Mikaelian bruised and battered, referee Harvey Dock called the fight off.
Garcia vs Benn Results – Remaining Undercard
Da’Mazion Vanhouter could be the next American heavyweight hope. The 21-year-old enhanced those credentials with a highlight reel first round knockout of Raphael Akpejiori.
Meanwhile, Andres Cortes remained undefeated. The American lightweight saw off Mark Magsayo over the distance.
Elsewhere, Oswaldo Molina snapped the unbeaten record of Pablo Rubio with a points win at super featherweight. Abel Gonzalez climbed off the canvas to defeat Raul Solomon by decision.
Vlad Panin was a fourth round winner over Dakota Linger in their welterweight battle.
Jose Ramirez’s career took a further setback. The former unified super lightweight champion lost his third consecutive fight to Alexis Rocha.
Rounding off the Garcia vs Benn report, Sean Garcia scored a majority decision win over Abraham Morales.
