After months of speculation, Ryan Garcia’s WBC welterweight world title showdown against Conor Benn has finally been confirmed. Now, four-division world champion Shakur Stevenson has provided an updated prediction for the clash.
Stevenson called for a bout with Benn following his January triumph over Teofimo Lopez, but Benn instead announced plans to challenge for Garcia’s WBC strap, due to the fact that he was the mandatory challenger for the belt.
Since then, Benn has signed with Zuffa Boxing and fought Regis Prograis at a 150lb catchweight, ahead of what will be a first welterweight bout since April 2022 when he challenges for Garcia’s throne.
Speaking on The Ariel Helwani Show, Stevenson admitted that he was hoping to secure a fight with Benn himself, particularly after he too signed with Zuffa, but that he understands Benn’s decision to instead pursue Garcia.
“That was a fight that I wanted but Conor Benn has got other plans. I mean, if you think about it, he probably feels as though he has got a better chance beating Ryan Garcia than me, so I understand it.”
Yet, in terms of the fight, Stevenson predicted that Garcia should win comfortably, unless he takes his eye off of the ball and underperforms, as he did against Rolando Romero last year.
“This is a cool fight. I think that Ryan should win because of his experience but it’s a good fight.”
“I think that Ryan should win that pretty easily. I don’t think this should be a hard fight for Ryan, but you never know who shows up with Ryan. The guy [Garcia] that fought against Rolly, Conor Benn might get in there and scare him and put him in his place, so we will see.”
Garcia-Benn takes place on Saturday, September 12, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, as Benn seeks to silence his doubters by capturing a world title and proving himself to be worthy of his superstar status.
