A former world champion believes Ryan Garcia will knock out Conor Benn inside six rounds, underlining a glaring difference between them in skill and power.

The 28-year-old is making a first defence of his WBC title on September 12, headlining a Zuffa Boxing and Golden Boy co-promoted show at Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena.

‘King Ry’ claimed his welterweight strap in February, dethroning Mario Barrios with a unanimous decision after scoring a first-round knockdown.

This followed his points defeat to Rolando Romero in May 2025, back when he returned from a year-long doping suspension after testing positive for banned substance ostarine.

But while it has been far from plain sailing for Garcia, the talented American is nonetheless considered a sizable favourite against mandatory challenger Benn.

Despite being the WBC’s leading contender at 147lbs, ‘The Destroyer’ has not fought at the weight in over four years and, generally speaking, has done very little to justify his world title shot.

Even when considering his most notable victory, a unanimous decision against Chris Eubank Jr in November, it seems Benn is still yet to prove himself at world level.

Speaking with Pro Boxing Fans, Paulie Malignaggi simply echoed the opinion that many have already expressed.

“Ryan knocks him out. The fight doesn’t go six rounds, in my opinion. [There’s a] disparity in skill; disparity in power. I don’t think Conor Benn’s that good.

“[Whereas] Ryan Garcia’s a very good fighter when he’s motivated. This fight is an opportunity for him to make a statement, because he’s fighting a guy who’s got a big name but also a guy who probably doesn’t belong in the ring with him.”

While attempting to make 147lbs, Benn has revealed that his future fights will be at higher weights.