Conor Benn on Why Ryan Garcia is ‘Great For Boxing’

Ryan Garcia (24-2, 20 KOs) is undoubtedly one of the most controversial figures in boxing today. However, according to Conor Benn, that just adds to his novelty as a fighter.

Benn was recently a guest on Mr. Verzace podcast. In conversation, he opened up about why he thought Garcia brings the energy and drama that boxing desperately needs.

“I think Ryan Garcia is great for boxing. I think he’s a liability, I think he’s a loose cannon, I think he’s unpredictable, you could say unprofessional,” he said. “But ultimately, he’s sheer entertainment. He’s gifted, great hand speed, he’s athletic, he’s young, so he’s good for the sport of boxing, and I would tune in to watch a Ryan Garcia fight.”

Garcia’s unpredictability is one of his biggest strengths. Even when he behaves like a loose cannon outside the ring, it generates attention, and this attention is currency in modern boxing. He brings millions of eyes from social media into a sport that often struggles to capture younger audiences.

He is also a true pugilistic weapon, carrying genuine offensive danger. Despite his flaws, he has exceptional speed and knockout power, which creates drama. And any boxing aficionado would agree, drama sells.

However, with Garcia gearing up for his fight against WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios, Benn is unsure about who’d emerge as the victor.

“Barrios has true Mexican blood, fights with heart, pride, and fights for his country, fights for something more than clicks or views. It’s hard to pick who’s gonna win,” he said. “Ryan should win really, but will he? Rolly is a good fighter, but you can tell the kind of life Garcia had been living in between the Devin Haney and Romero fights. It has its toll.”

“Less Respect For Mario”

Richardson Hitchins, however, believes that Barrios might end up bringing the best out of Garcia. A performance that his fans have long yearned to see.

“Ryan is going to have less respect for Mario, because I don’t feel Barrios is punching like Rolly,” said Hitchins. “Barrios is not Rolly Romero. Rolly shook Ryan and knocked him down. Rolly’s power made Ryan hesitant. Ryan was waiting a lot. Barrios doesn’t have the power that Rolly possesses. Rolly is stronger, and that tamed Ryan early. We should see a lot more out of Ryan Garcia this time around.”

Joshua Ben Joseph

Joshua Ben Joseph is a Boxing writer renowned for his unparalleled coverage of live events and insightful interviews with prominent athletes in the world of combat sports. With a career spanning over several years, he has authored more than 800 articles. As an experienced editorial cartoonist and investigative journalist, Joshua has a keen eye for detail and a passion for delivering quality content. Aside from his writing, Joshua is an avid powerlifter and solo traveler, embodying the same spirit of determination and exploration that he brings to his work. With a deep love for the sport of boxing that dates back to childhood, he is committed to delivering the highest quality content and helping to build a more transparent and credible industry.

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