Conor Benn has been dealt a warning ahead of his world title challenge against Ryan Garcia.
Garcia and Benn are set to clash in less than a month as Benn looks to become a world champion for the first time.
After his two epic encounters with long-term rival Chris Eubank Jr, ‘The Destroyer’ is set to return to his more natural welterweight division for the first time in over two years.
He last fought at the weight in 2024 against Peter Dobson, whom he beat over 12 rounds.
Spencer Oliver spoke on talkSPORT and addressed his concerns over Benn fighting at welterweight.
(Ed Robsinson, Matchroom)
“The weight could be a big, big problem for this.
“I’m concerned about him at 147lbs.
“He’s a great self-publicist to get himself in this position.
“He hasn’t boxed at 147lbs for four years, and that is a big worry for me.”
Benn’s two fights with Eubank took place at middleweight, while his last outing was at a catchweight of 150lbs.
He last fought Regis Prograis in April and cruised to a points victory over an ageing Prograis.
The judges’ scorecards read 98-92 on all three cards.
Oliver spoke on his opponent, Garcia, and heaped praise on ‘King Ry’.
“We are talking about levels to the game. Ryan Garcia is the proven and Benn is the unproven at world level.”
Host Ade Oladipo added to the praise of Garcia, who defends his WBC welterweight crown for the first time.
“Garcia looks perfect at the weight.
“I worked his victory over Mario Barrios, he started throwing the right hand.
“He has a superb left hand and now the right hand.”
‘King Ry’ won the title in his last outing against Mario Barrios, whom he beat comfortably on points after dropping him in the first round.
