Ryan Garcia vs Conor Benn tussle on Paramount Plus

Ryan Garcia and Conor Benn go to battle live from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Garcia is coming off a solid outing in a victory over Mario Barrios and now looks to defend his belt. Conor Benn was able to defeat Chris Eubank Jr in their rematch and now challenges for a welterweight strap in Saturday’s main event. This event will be live-streamed on Paramount Plus and available on PPV on the DAZN app in selected countries.

This matchup is a bit of an odd one given Conor Benn hasn’t fought at welterweight since 2022. It should be noted that Benn weighed close to 147 in his last fight against Regis Progais in April. Benn has made it down close to the weight needed for a little while now. At first sight, Benn appears to be very thin, and it’s fair to wonder where his energy level will be in the 2nd half. With weight restrictions in their rematch, Chris Eubank Jr. looked frail heading into the rematch with Conor, and it clearly affected the outcome.

It can be misleading to rely only on your eyes and the optics of Conor Benn’s body. It’s also more than fair to ask which Ryan Garcia will show up to the ring. Let us not forget Garcia put up a lackluster performance in a loss to Rolando Romero prior to beating a limited Mario Barrios. In the fight before that with Devin Haney, Garcia didn’t seem to take it seriously all week. Only for Garcia to drop Haney a few times in a fight that was ruled a no contest after Ryan popped for an illegal substance.

When Ryan Garcia uses his jab, he’s a different fighter. This boxing podcaster isn’t trying to say Garcia is a hall of famer. It’s just that Garcia has a bad habit of loading up on left hooks, looking for a knockout punch rather than being strategic. Conor Benn likes to use his jab/right hand combo, but at times leaves holes in his defense. Garcia must be first, using hand speed to land his jab and efficient combinations. Resetting after landing punches will also be important. Overusing the shell defense and letting Conor Benn tee off will give away rounds.

Neither boxer is a high-level defender, and both will expose their chin. If Garcia sticks to a conservative yet effective game plan, he should be able to outland Benn. If patient Ryan lands flush left hooks during exchanges. Don’t get greedy is the main objective, but as we know, Garcia is a very inconsistent performer from fight to fight. At welterweight, can Conor Benn look sharp and quick, or will he be sluggish as he was versus Regis Prograis? Size and weight matter, but putting on too much weight in a short period of time can result in a slower fighter.

From a betting perspective, Ryan Garcia is the favorite anywhere from –250 to –355. Conor Benn is the underdog from +198 to +255. Garcia by stoppage is –105 and by decision +230. Benn by stoppage is +480 and +550 by decision. My Best Bet is +230 by decision for Garcia, and one could hedge it with –105 by knockout.

My Official Prediction is Ryan Garcia by decision.

PODCAST LINK: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ryan-garcia-vs-conor-benn-betting-odds-preview-predictions/id1794655742?i=1000788974032

Side Note: On the undercard, keep an eye on Jai Opetaia vs. Noel Mikaelian, Mark Magsayo vs. Andres Cortes, and Alexis Rocha vs Jose Ramirez, among others, on the Paramount Plus card.

Written by Chris Carlson, Host/Producer of The Rope A Dope Radio Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker, I-Heart Radio, Amazon Podcasts, Tunein, Deezer, Podchaser, Castbox & More! Follow on Twitter @RopeADopeRadio

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