Former undisputed super-lightweight champion Josh Taylor has backed WBC welterweight champion Ryan Garcia to knock out Conor Benn in Las Vegas next month. Taylor cited Benn’s unconvincing recent victory over Regis Prograis as the main reason for his verdict.
Garcia defends his WBC 147lb belt against Benn on Saturday, 12 September at the T-Mobile Arena. Benn was designated as mandatory challenger after declaring his return to welterweight, having not fought in the division since April 2022. However, the Briton first signed with Zuffa Boxing to take a 150lb catchweight fight against Prograis on the Tyson Fury versus Arslanbek Makhmudov undercard. Benn struggled to dispatch an injured Prograis despite his opponent’s physical limitations, prompting criticism over his display ahead of his first world title challenge.
Speaking to Boxing News, Taylor admitted the matchup holds limited appeal from a purely tactical perspective.
“It doesn’t excite me at all, really. It’s a big fight, it’s a big commercial fight, Ryan is huge commercially, so is Conor.”
The Scottish fighter believes Garcia holds clear technical advantages over Benn.
“Boxing ability-wise, I think that Ryan probably knocks him out, [presuming] everything is all good and that [with Garcia]. I just think Ryan is the better boxer; he is quicker, he is sharper, he has got more experience in the game.”
The bout represents Benn’s first opportunity to win a world honours belt.
While Taylor recognized Benn’s physical progression, he maintained that the challenger’s previous performance leaves him vulnerable against a fighter of Garcia’s caliber.
“Conor has done well, he has improved a hell of a lot, he is quick, he is strong, he is bigger and stronger than Ryan, but going off that last performance [against Prograis], I don’t think that Ryan has got anything to worry about.”
Taylor doubled down on his stoppage prediction for the Las Vegas main event:
“I think that Ryan probably knocks him out, after that last performance.”
Garcia captured the WBC welterweight title by dethroning Mario Barrios, and victory in September would further establish his position at the top of the 147lb division.
