Boxing
Is Benn 'dead man walking' for Garcia after brutal weight cut?
Garcia vs. Benn live on DAZN PPV - Saturday
Conor Benn is risking it all in pursuit of his first world title.
His dream is to get his hands on a WBC green-and-gold belt — just like his famous father Nigel did at super-middleweight in 1992.
To achieve that goal, Benn must overcome the outspoken and supremely confident Ryan Garcia under the bright lights of Las Vegas on Saturday night.
The biggest challenge before stepping in the ring has been a brutal weight cut to make the welterweight limit of 147lb for the first time since stopping Chris van Heerden more than four years ago.
That drop has raised concerns about his health and handed Garcia, 28, plenty of ammunition to throw in his challenger’s direction.
“Look at him, he looks like a dead man walking,” the champion claimed when the combatants appeared on The Pat McAfee Show.
"This dude looks like he’s about to pass out right now in the sun. He is like a handsome Squidward.
“You know what, I'm thinking about hiring him as my sparring partner. [Conor Benn] might be my sparring partner after this fight.
"You're as good as a sparring partner, my guy. You're gonna get whooped.
"You're not at my level. You are borderline a bum. You are like an athletic amateur, that's what you are. Like a fancy trash can.
"I'm gonna take out the trash September 12. I'm gonna send your ass back to the UK with a good cheque and hopefully your brain will still be intact."
Garcia’s jibes did not get the reaction they had been designed to draw from ‘The Destroyer’, who fired back with: "It's so childish, he is like a child and a kid.”
While the American failed to draw the angry response he was looking for on that occasion, he has undoubtedly managed to get under Benn’s skin in the build-up to their clash at the T-Mobile Arena.
That aside, Benn has trained incredibly hard ahead of his big opportunity, honing his skills under the watchful eye of Tony Sims in Essex before moving his camp to the US.
Whether he will retain the power and engine that drives his all-action style back down at welterweight remains to be seen.
But the fact he has stated he will immediately vacate the title and move up should he win speaks volumes.
The strain he has put on his body cannot be underestimated. Benn has, quite frankly, gone to hell and back to prepare for Garcia.
If the gamble pays off, it will have been worth the pain. Should he fail to win, the 29-year-old and his team may have some difficult questions to answer.
Watch Garcia vs. Benn on DAZN
Britain's Conor Benn looks to become a world champion for the first time against US superstar Ryan Garcia on Saturday, September 12.
Watch the fight exclusively in the UK & Ireland and other territories (check for availability) on DAZN PPV or included in our Ultimate Tier subscription.
