Conor Benn is returning to the welterweight division in a quest to claim Ryan Garcia’s WBC world title, but a recent photo of ‘The Destroyer’ has drawn concerns from fans. Now, Tony Bellew has offered his thoughts on Benn’s physique ahead of his toughest test to date.
Benn debuted as a welterweight back in 2016 but last boxed there in April 2022, before a failed drugs test derailed his career and caused him to move up to the super-welterweight scene upon his return.
After two outings at 154lbs, he moved up once more and twice boxed Chris Eubank Jr in a fierce middleweight rivalry where he suffered his first career defeat but then avenged it, then leaving career-long promoter Eddie Hearn and signing with Zuffa Boxing.
In his first fight under Dana White’s tutelage, Benn appeared in a 150lb catchweight affair against Regis Prograis, but he looked severely impacted by the weight as he went the full 12 rounds with an injured version of ‘Rougarou’.
Nevertheless, ‘The Destroyer’ has dared to drop another three pounds in order to compete for Garcia’s WBC welterweight world title, in his first appearance at the weight in almost four-and-a-half years.
Ahead of the fight, Benn has posted a photo on social media where he looks noticeably tight at the weight, although former WBC cruiserweight world champion Bellew went against the grain as he told social media that the picture proves Benn is preparing correctly.
This tells you he’s doing it correctly!
— Tony Bellew (@TonyBellew) August 27, 2026
“This tells you he’s doing it correctly!”
Garcia-Benn takes place on Saturday, September 12, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, with Jai Opetaia set to take on reigning WBC cruiserweight champion Noel Mikaelian in the co-main event of the bill.
