Top trainer Kenny Ellis has highlighted a key attribute which, if Conor Benn nullifies the left hook of Ryan Garcia, could lead to a major upset victory for the Brit.
The 29-year-old has, indeed, been made a sizable underdog as he approaches his maiden world title challenge at Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena on September 12.
Not only are his world-level credentials somewhat questionable, but Benn has also not made 147lbs since his second-round stoppage of Chris van Heerden in 2022.
Later that year, ‘The Destroyer’ tested positive for banned substance clomifene, before eventually rescheduling his middleweight contest with Chris Eubank Jr for April 2025.
And despite losing a unanimous decision, Benn received immense credit for the character he showed in the heat of battle, where it appeared, at times, that he was getting the better of Eubank, who he widely outpointed in their immediate rematch.
Because of this grit, American coach Ellis, who helps train the likes of Gervonta Davis, has told FightHype that he is predicting a shock defeat for Garcia, who will make a first defence of his WBC welterweight title against Benn.
“I like Ryan – he’s a better boxer [than Benn] – but I think Conor Benn has a better tolerance for pain. He might overcome Ryan’s boxing skills.”
“If he can get past the left hook, he should be good.”
Garcia became a world champion at 147lbs in February, dethroning Mario Barrios with a unanimous decision victory after scoring a first-round knockdown.
This followed his points defeat to Rolando Romero in May 2025, which arrived after the American served a year-long doping ban.
