Former welterweight champion Kell Brook has given his insight into the upcoming clash between Conor Benn and Ryan Garcia.
Brook retired in 2021 after beating his long-time rival Amir Khan by KO to bring down the curtain on a fine career. The highlight was his epic world title win against the famously tough Shawn Porter in his own backyard out in the United States in 2015.
After that he fought the likes of Terence Crawford and Errol Spence and was often linked with a comeback against Benn, though it never materialised.
Instead Benn has twice fought Chris Eubank Jr at a catchweight of 160lbs, losing the first but winning the rematch. Earlier this year he took on and beat former world champion Regis Prograis at 150lbs as he works his way back down to the welterweight limit of 147 for his maiden world title shot.
Speaking to Fight Your Corner, Brook was asked how he thinks his countryman will get on against WBC champion Garcia when they fight in September.
“I think Conor has it all, he can fight. I’d have liked him to have got a British title first, but he is a PPV fighter. It’s a very exciting fight. Ryan can whack big time, and this is going to be a real test for Conor.
“He’s coming down to welterweight – this is more his weight, but it’s two serious characters who aren’t going to disappoint. I give Conor a good chance, but I do lean towards Garcia – I just think he’ll rise to the occasion. I think Garcia has that get-out-of-jail card.
“When I boxed Shaun Porter, I went to Vegas to finish some sparring, and I put it on to this kid, and after we got chatting, he said he’s never been hit as hard as Ryan Garcia. The punch power he’s got is just next level.”
Garcia is a big step up for Benn. The American has sharp reflexes, punches hard and has been in with the likes of Gervonta Davis and Devin Haney.
He won his world title with a unanimous points victory over Mario Barrios earlier in the year and defends it against Benn for the first time at Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena on September 12.
