Conor Benn Feels 'Dragged Down to Pits of Hell' by Weight Cut

Conor Benn stated that making the welterweight limit for his world title challenge against Ryan Garcia felt like being "dragged down to the pits of hell" but emphasized that he is healthy and will make weight. Benn, 29, faced WBC champion Garcia at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday in the first world title fight of his 10-year professional career. He needed to weigh no more than 10st 7lb (67kg) when he stepped on the scales on Friday, having not made the welterweight limit for more than four years.

"It’s been extremely difficult," Benn told BBC Sport. "It feels like I’ve been dragged down to the pits of hell, had a fight with Satan and God brought me back to life. Making weight has been the hardest thing I’ve done. I haven’t made weight for four and a half years so it’s going to be hard. But I won’t moan when I’m getting paid a fortune to headline in Vegas for a world title. I know what I signed up for."

Benn last made the welterweight limit when he stopped Chris van Heerden in two rounds in April 2022. He stepped up to 11st 6lb (73kg) for two lucrative contests with Chris Eubank Jr last year, suffering the first defeat of his professional career in April 2025 before avenging the loss on points seven months later.

Benn’s struggle to make weight raised concerns among some observers regarding the effects of dropping back to welterweight. Former world champion Carl Froch and Benn’s former opponent Chris Algieri questioned whether the weight cut could leave him depleted, especially given the contrasting styles on Saturday. Benn, known as an aggressive, front-foot fighter, faced American Garcia, 28, who possesses fast hands and is renowned for a dangerous counter left hook.

Despite the concerns, Benn dismissed any apprehension about his condition, stating, "I’m healthy," and predicting he would rehydrate significantly and enter the ring at around 12st 7lb (80kg) – two stones heavier than the welterweight limit. Even if he fulfills a lifelong ambition by winning his maiden world title, Benn planned to vacate the belt "straight away" to move back up to middleweight or potentially as high as super-middleweight. "I love challenges and that’s what life is about, otherwise it’s boring," he added.

As he faced the difficulty presented by the weight cut, Benn appeared relaxed and in good spirits while making time for the traveling British media at the UFC’s Meta Apex, his father and British boxing great Nigel Benn by his side. Nigel has been a prominent presence throughout fight week, despite previously suggesting he would take a step back from his son’s career. Benn had yet to see his opponent, Garcia, who did not appear for a scheduled face-off at Mandalay Bay on Tuesday. Benn joked with his father instead. He described Garcia as a "strange geezer" and noted the no-show had done the champion "no favours."

"I’m not bothered, I’ve dealt with worse," Conor Benn added. "If he turns up or not, it makes no difference to me. Irrespective of how hard the weight cut is or anything else, we owe it to the public to give the fans what they want. It’s a lack of discipline and professionalism."