
Former IBF welterweight champion Kell Brook is backing Ryan Garcia to successfully defend his WBC 147lb title against Conor Benn.Â
Garcia and Benn, two of boxing's electric characters, are set to meet on September 12 in Las Vegas, in a fight which will be broadcast live on DAZN in the UK.Â
For Benn, this is his first world title fight since turning professional 10 years ago, but he is no stranger to boxing on the biggest stages after being involved in two epic stadium bouts against Chris Eubank Jr. last year.Â
The retired Brook knows what it takes to win a world title in the United States after he beat Shawn Porter for the IBF welterweight title in 2014.Â
Beating the American by majority decision, it is hailed as one of the best wins overseas by a British boxer.Â
While Brook backs Benn to give a good account himself, he believes Garcia has a "get out of jail card" which will make the difference.Â
"I think Conor has it all, he can fight. I’d have liked him to have got a British title first, but he is a PPV fighter. It’s a very exciting fight. Ryan can whack big time, and this is going to be a real test for Conor," Brook said on Fight Your Corner in partnership with Midnite.Â
"He’s coming down to welterweight - this is more his weight, but it’s two serious characters who aren't going to disappoint.Â
"I give Conor a good chance, but I do lean towards Garcia - I just think he’ll rise to the occasion. I think Garcia has that get-out-of-jail card.
"When I boxed Shawn Porter, I went to Vegas to finish some sparring, and I put it on to this kid, and after we got chatting, he said he’s never been hit as hard as Ryan Garcia. The punch power he’s got is just next level."
Another intriguing aspect to this fight is how Benn is adjusting to welterweight.Â
After campaigning mostly at 147lbs, Benn moved up to middleweight to face Eubank Jr. before taking on former world champion Regis Prograis at a 150lb catchweight in April.Â
While Benn will be confident he can still carry his trademark aggression to welterweight, Garcia is better adjusted after already fighting twice at 147lbs.
Watch Moses Itauma take the next step in his so far unstoppable career against Filip Hrgovic on Saturday, August 29, only on DAZN.
Buy as a one-off PPV or included along with Romero vs. Lopez (Aug 22) and Canelo vs. Mbilli (Oct) PPVs with a DAZN Ultimate Tier subscription.


