Conor Benn faces boxing suspension after Ryan Garcia defeat as controversial stoppage sparks major questions over referee decision Conor Benn is set to spend time away in boxing after suffering a second-round TKO loss to Ryan Garcia in Las Vegas. Garcia dropped Benn with a right hand before referee Thomas Taylor stopped the WBC welterweight title fight at 1:25 of the second round. Benn was taken to hospital, and Nevada Athletic Commission rules mean the 29-year-old faces a medical suspension. The defeat ended his first title challenge.
Ryan Garcia stops Conor Benn in two rounds to retain WBC title
Benn started fast and tried to make Garcia fight at close range. Garcia stayed calm, used his speed and found success with his left hook. The big change came early in the second.Garcia landed a clean right hand that sent Benn to the canvas. Benn got back up, but Garcia kept the pressure on. Benn was backed toward the ropes as Garcia fired more punches, leaving Taylor to step in and end the fight.The official time was 1:25 of round two, giving Garcia his first WBC title defense. ABC News reported that the fight lasted only 4:25. Garcia said afterward that he expected Benn to come forward and felt ready to stand his ground in the second round.Garcia’s win was his first stoppage victory since December 2023 and gave him a strong start to his title reign in 2026.Benn later addressed the loss on social media, writing: “Not my night, no excuses. Ryan Garcia, you’re a great champion.”The stoppage did not convince everyone. Some fans felt Taylor acted too quickly because Benn was still on his feet when the referee stepped between the two fighters. MMA Mania reported that Dana White also discussed the stoppage afterward, saying it was not a terrible decision while acknowledging why people questioned it.
Conor Benn faces suspension after Ryan Garcia loss
The defeat is also likely to keep Benn out of the ring for a while. The Nevada Athletic Commission regulates boxing in Las Vegas, and its rules allow a fighter who is medically unfit to be suspended until cleared to compete. The commission’s published rules also set rest periods for boxers between contests, although the exact medical suspension for Benn will depend on his post-fight evaluation.His hospital visit makes the medical review important. The next decision will depend on the doctors and commission.The loss was a major setback because Benn had waited for his first world title opportunity and entered the fight unbeaten in his previous 26 professional bouts. Garcia, meanwhile, moved to 26-2 and kept his WBC welterweight belt.Benn accepted the result without blaming the referee or Garcia, instead giving credit to the champion. Chris Eubank Jr., however, took a different approach, using the result to mock his longtime rival on social media.Eubank Jr. wrote: “Welcome to the ‘fighting after cutting too much weight’ club… Enjoy.”For Benn, the immediate priority is recovery and medical clearance. His return date will depend on the suspension and the findings from his checks, while the controversial ending means the second-round defeat is likely to remain a talking point around his next fight.