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Benn Challenges Garcia for WBC World Title

sportSep 13, 2026·297 words·3 min read

British boxer Conor Benn will challenge champion Ryan Garcia for the WBC (World Boxing Council) welterweight title on Saturday night in Las Vegas. It is the first time Garcia, 28, has defended the belt since he beat Mario Barrios in February. Benn, 29, has never fought for a world title, and a win would see him follow in the footsteps of his father, Nigel, who won a WBC title more than 30 years ago.

The big question is Benn's weight. For four and a half years he fought in heavier weight classes, so he had to lose a lot of weight. On Friday he weighed 146 pounds, but the Daily Mail said he gained 32 pounds back in about 12 hours. Benn said making the weight felt like being "dragged down to the pits of hell". Garcia thinks this will make Benn weak. Both men have failed drug tests in the past, and both say they did not cheat on purpose.

Most experts think Garcia will win because he is fast and powerful. Some think the fight will end early. Tony Bellew is different. He thinks Benn will win by knockout. Benn says the pressure is on the champion, not on him.

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