Ryan Garcia Stops Conor Benn in Round Two to Retain WBC Title

Ryan Garcia stopped Conor Benn in the second round on Saturday night to retain his WBC welterweight title, delivering a decisive knockout that ended the British challenger's bid for a world championship. The fight took place at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on September 12, 2026. Garcia, the 28-year-old American champion, knocked Benn down with a powerful right hand early in the second round. Benn, 29, rose to his feet but was unable to defend himself as Garcia unleashed a flurry of punches, prompting referee Thomas Taylor to stop the contest at 1 minute and 25 seconds of the round. The victory improved Garcia's professional record to 26-2 with 21 knockouts, while Benn fell to 25-2. The fight was Garcia's first defense of the welterweight title he won by defeating Mario Barrios in February. Benn had promised an aggressive, pressure-filled approach throughout the buildup to the fight, and he delivered on that promise in the opening round. He set a frenetic pace, scoring to the body and engaging Garcia in heavy exchanges. However, Garcia's counter-punching skills proved decisive.