Garcia is riding high on confidence after winning the strap earlier his year, defeating Mario Barrios via unanimous decision (recap here). As for Benn, it’s chance to win his first major world title and is coming off a dominant victory over Regis Prograis earlier this year (relive it here).
Many readers check in before, during and after the fights to share their thoughts on all of the action, as the main card kicks off at 8 p.m. ET on Paramount+. Feel free to leave a comment (or several) about the bouts and chat with all the other Maniacs during the show — it’s always a lot of fun!
147 lbs.: Ryan Garcia vs. Conor Benn — Garcia wins via second-round TKO – HIGHLIGHTS!
200 lbs.: Jai Opetaia vs. Noel Mikaelyan — Opetaia wins via ninth round KO
Heavyweight: Damazion Vanhouter vs. Raphael Akpejiori — Vanhouter via first-round KO
135 lbs.: Mark Magsayo vs. Andres Cortes — Cortes wins via unanimous decision
130 lbs.: Oswaldo Molina vs. Pablo Rubio — Rubio wins via unanimous decision
168 lbs.: Abel Gonzalez vs. Raul Salomon — _Gonzalez wins via unanimous decision
154 lbs.: Vlad Panin vs. Dakota Linger — Panin wins via fourth-round KO
147 lbs.: Jose Ramirez vs. Alex Rocha — Rocha wins via unanimous decision
147 lbs.: Sean Garcia vs. Abraham Morales — Garcia wins via majority decision
Benn comes in aggressive. Pushes Garcia back with a stiff jab. Left hook connects for Garcia, and then a nice jab from Garcia. Both men are throwing heat. Benn the aggressor, Garcia on his heels. Clinch, left hook on the break for Garcia. Warning from the ref. Garcia tries to work the body. Benn with a nice liver shot, Garcia lands a right hand then an uppercut. Big body shot from Benn. Nice combo to the body for Benn, great combo. Close first round. 10-9 Garcia
Solid left hand from Garcia. Benn pushes forward an eats an uppercut. Massive right hand connects and Garcia drops Benn! That was massive. Benn is in trouble and Garcia is all over Benn going for the kill. One big shot after another and the referee steps in and puts an end to the fight. A bit premature in my opinion, but what an impressive win from Garcia in his first-ever title defense.
Garcia defeats Benn via second-round technical knockout
