Conor Benn has described the process of making the welterweight limit for his world title challenge against Ryan Garcia as feeling like being “dragged down to the pits of hell.” The British fighter is preparing to face the WBC champion this Saturday at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas in the first world title bout of his professional career.
Benn, 29, must weigh no more than 10st 7lb (147 pounds or 67kg) on Friday’s official scales. He has not competed at the welterweight limit for more than four years, since stopping Chris van Heerden in April 2022. The demanding cut has dominated the final stages of his training camp.
A Brutal but Necessary Process
Speaking in Las Vegas, Benn made no attempt to downplay the difficulty. “It’s been extremely difficult,” he told reporters. “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.”
He added that the challenge formed part of the deal he accepted when the opportunity arose. “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 revealed he had been dieting for approximately 15 weeks. He walked around at around 185 pounds during his previous campaign and felt strong at higher weights. Dropping to 147 pounds required sustained discipline and sacrifice. Despite the ordeal, he insisted he remains healthy and fully expects to make the limit.
Plans After the Fight
Benn has already signalled that this will be his final appearance at welterweight. He feels most comfortable and powerful at middleweight (160 pounds) and has spoken of potentially moving as high as super-middleweight in the future. Even if he captures the WBC title on Saturday, he intends to vacate the belt promptly and return to a more natural weight class.
“This is my last fight at 147,” he confirmed. “I feel unbelievable at 160. I’ve always wanted to win a world title at 147. I wouldn’t have made it for any other fight apart from fighting for the world title.”
The chance to challenge for a world championship in Las Vegas proved too significant to refuse. Benn thanked those involved in securing the opportunity and emphasised that delivering a strong performance is now his sole focus.
Context of the Title Challenge
The contest marks a major step for Benn. After a decade as a professional, he is finally fighting for a recognised world title. Garcia, the reigning WBC welterweight champion, represents a high-profile and dangerous opponent. The event is expected to draw significant attention on both sides of the Atlantic.
Concerns had circulated in the build-up about whether Benn could safely reach the contracted weight. He has sought to reassure observers, stating clearly that he will make the limit and that his health is not compromised. Once on the scales, he anticipates rehydrating substantially and entering the ring around two stones heavier than the welterweight mark.
Looking Ahead to Weigh-In and Fight Night
The official weigh-in on Friday will provide the first public confirmation that Benn has completed the cut. Should he succeed, attention will shift fully to the contest itself. A victory would fulfil a long-held ambition and place him among the welterweight elite, even if only briefly before he moves up in weight.
Benn’s willingness to endure such a severe reduction for one night underscores the value he places on the opportunity. Few fighters voluntarily subject themselves to this level of physical stress when more comfortable options exist. His comments reflect both the personal cost and the professional reward of headlining a major card in Las Vegas.
As fight week reaches its climax, the narrative remains centred on whether the punishing weight cut will affect performance. Benn maintains he is ready. The scales on Friday and the ring on Saturday will deliver the definitive answers. For now, the British contender has made clear that the hardest part of preparation may already be behind him, even if the memory of the “pits of hell” remains vivid.
