Conor Benn says the work to get back to 147 has been difficult, but he believes it will pay off when he meets Ryan Garcia in a WBC welterweight title fight.
Benn described the return to welterweight as “hard” and “brutal,” but made it clear he is not treating the cut as a burden. “I’m not going to be complaining and moaning,” he said. “I know what I signed up for…I’m getting paid handsomely, I’m fighting for the world title and headlining in a mega fight in Vegas. So what’s there to moan about?”
The 23-year-old said he has approached camp with full commitment, stressing that he has given “110%” and pushed his body through the demands of preparing for 147. “It’s what I want to do,” Benn said, adding that he and his team knew it would be a tough path back down in weight.
Benn expects a damaging fight
Benn was also blunt about how he sees the matchup playing out. Asked about the matchup with Garcia, he said both men carry real punching power and that a clean shot could end the fight quickly. “We’ve both big punchers. We catch anyone on the chin flush, they’re going to sleep,” he said.
He went a step further when asked whether he expected the bout to last the distance. “I don’t [believe it goes the distance],” Benn said. “I hand on heart believe I get hold of him. That’s what I believe in my heart. I believe that 10 years in the game this year, I believe this is mine for the taking.”
Benn also said the result will come down to how well he handles his preparation, especially the weigh-in. “It all depends on me and during the weigh-in, which is why I do my weight properly,” he said. “I leave no stone unturned. I make sure that I do everything properly.”
What it means for the title fight
The comments fit the broader setup for Benn and Ryan Garcia, with Garcia also entering the build-up believing everything is coming together for him to deliver an impressive performance. That makes the WBC welterweight title shot more than just a clash of styles. It is also a test of who handles the pressure, the weight, and the moment better.
Benn’s confidence is obvious, but so is the challenge. He has already fought Chris Eubank Jr up the scales, and now he is trying to prove he can make 147 and still carry enough power to back up his prediction. With the fight framed as a mega fight in Vegas, Benn is not hiding from the stakes. He says he is ready to stop Garcia and take the title.
The buildup also comes during a busy stretch in the sport, with Katie Taylor set for the final fight of her career this Saturday in Ireland. But Benn’s focus is squarely on Garcia, the weight cut, and the chance to turn a difficult camp into a title-winning night.
