On Saturday, September 12, Ryan Garcia and Conor Benn will meet in a match for Garcia’s WBC welterweight championship. This a highly anticipated match-up between two hot headed, hot fisted fighters.

Ryan Garcia is coming off of the most complete performance of his career. He defeated Mario Barrios to gain his first world title. Garcia dominated the fight from start to finish, winning by wide unanimous decision.

Conor Benn’s last performance was also dominate on the scorecards as he defeated Regis Prograis, 98-92, on all three scorecards. Benn was criticized for not being able to knockout Prograis. Fans had high expectations after Benn’s impressive win over Chris Eubank Jr.

The dominance of both fighters had led us to this explosive match-up on Saturday night. What are the keys to victory for each fighter?

Ryan Garcia’s Keys To Victory

Stick, Stick, Stick

Ryan Garcia is not known for his jab but against Mario Barrios, he landed the most jabs of his career in a single bout. He landed 82 total jabs in the 12 round bout. In his previous bout, a loss to Rolando Romero, Garcia only landed 48 jabs and was not able to establish a rhythm.

If he is able to keep the jab in the face and body of Benn, Garcia will be able to set up his devasting straight right hand and left hook. Along with keeping Benn on the outside where he will be less effective due to Garcia’s reach advantage.

Attack the Body

Conor Benn has not fought at the weight limit of 147 pounds in over two years. He had two bouts against Chris Eubank Jr at 160 pounds and then found Regis Prograis at a catchweight of 150 pounds.

Benn may have had trouble making weight which could lead a weaken resistance to body punches, which Garcia could take advantage of in a major way.

This left hook to body that crumbled Luke Campbell, could be the same weapon that stops Benn, if Garcia sets it up with jabs both up and down stairs.

Stay off of the Ropes

One of the weaknesses of Garcia’s game is his defense. At times he can leave his chin open and he also fights very upright, making his body an easy target. He has to keep this fight in the middle of the ring. If Garcia finds himself on the ropes, he may not be able to defend himself against the type of onslaught that Benn can unleash.

Keys to Victory for Conor Benn

Chop Down That Tree

Ryan Garcia is tall for a welterweight at 5’10” and he stands straight up in the ring. Conor Benn should be throwing jabs to the body of Garcia all night. If he is able to get on the inside with the jab and other body shots. It could led to him, getting on the inside and being able to tag Garcia upstairs when he leaves his chin open.

Make Ryan Dance

Ryan Garcia does not have the best footwork. Benn should be constantly pressuring him with feints, jabs, and head movement. If he is able to throw off the rhythm of Garcia and get him fighting on his back foot, Benn will have the advantage in this fight.

Watch out for the counter shot

Conor Benn will have to be aggressive without leaving himself open for the counter straight right hand or left hook. Benn has to be defensively sound when he goes to the body and when throws the jab.

If he throws a lazy jab, Garcia can counter over the top of with a straight right. If Benn goes to the body and reaches outside of his range. He will leave himself open to that super fast, super powerful left hook. No one at 147 can take too many of those shots from Garcia.

Prediction

Ryan Garcia’s speed and length will give Conor Benn some issues to start the fight but he will adjust in the middle rounds. Benn will get more aggressive and have some great moments in the bout, maybe even get a knockdown.

Late in the fight Benn will get over eager and leave himself open and get caught with a left hook and lose by TKO. Garcia wins by 11th round knockout.