Conor Benn has showcased a remarkable 32-pound weight gain just hours after successfully making the 147-pound welterweight limit for his upcoming fight against Ryan Garcia. Benn, 29, weighed in at 146 pounds on Friday for the bout scheduled for Saturday. Approximately 12 hours later, he revealed on social media that he had increased his weight to 178.4 pounds.
At a ceremonial event for fans on Friday, Benn appeared visibly larger, with noticeable changes in his face and shoulders. He had previously indicated he might weigh around 175 pounds by the time he entered the ring for the fight. This marks Benn's return to welterweight after competing in middleweight divisions for his recent rivalry.
Benn described the process of making weight as incredibly difficult, stating he had "been dragged down to the pits of hell." He has not fought at welterweight for over four years, having moved up through divisions. The challenge of returning to 147 pounds for this significant fight against Garcia, a WBC title holder, has been a primary focus.
The fight's dynamics will hinge on whether Benn's drastic weight cut and subsequent rehydration impact his performance. Garcia's camp has suggested that Benn's move back down in weight could leave him vulnerable. Benn, however, has dismissed these concerns, asserting his confidence in his ability to handle Garcia.
Benn's career path has been significantly shaped by his rivalry with Chris Eubank Jr. Their initial bout in April 2025 was at a catchweight above 160 pounds, a substantial increase for Benn. Eubank Jr. won that fight by decision. They met again seven months later, with Benn winning by decision after dropping Eubank Jr. twice in the final round.
Comparing the atmosphere to his Eubank Jr. fights, Benn stated that the current situation is different. He noted that the Eubank Jr. rivalry involved more raw emotion, which he felt affected him in their first encounter. He believes this will not be a factor in the Garcia fight.
Ryan Garcia holds a professional record of 25 wins, 20 by knockout, with two defeats and one no-contest. He won the WBC title against Mario Barrios and is making his first defense against Benn. Benn has a record of 25 wins, 14 by knockout, and one defeat.
Both Benn and Garcia have past issues with anti-doping tests. Benn's planned 2022 fight with Eubank Jr. was canceled after he returned adverse findings for clomifene, which he denied intentionally taking. Garcia later tested positive for ostarine following his 2024 victory over Devin Haney, a finding he also denied intentionally taking. Both fighters were asked about concerns regarding performance-enhancing drugs ahead of their bout but did not make it a central issue.
Garcia has questioned Benn's preparation for this level of competition, suggesting it is a step too far. Benn countered by pointing to Garcia's past performances and his own achievements, including competing at middleweight and avenging a loss, while also managing the difficult weight cut.
