Ryan Garcia fulfils destiny and British star sends shockwaves: What we learned from boxing last week

With two major fights taking place last week in the form of Mario Barrios vs. Ryan Garcia, and the rematch between Leigh Wood and Josh Warrington, you would think they would be the focus of the boxing world. 

Cue British star Conor Benn and his shock announcement about his next fight which sent fans into a frenzy.

Here is a round-up of all the big stories from the last week in boxing. 

Conor Benn ditches Eddie Hearn's Matchroom for Dana White's Zuffa Boxing

Conor Benn has a new promoter, for one fight at least. 

On Friday night, it was announced that Benn had left Eddie Hearn's Matchroom to join Dana White's Zuffa Boxing. 

It was news which shocked the boxing world and confirmed a real statement of intent from Zuffa to disrupt the status quo. 

Details are scarce, but we know as reported by DAZN's Chris Mannix, that the agreement is a one-fight deal for an eight figure sum. 

Supposedly Benn will make his Zuffa debut by the end of May in the UK, but until there is official confirmation, debate will rage on as to whether Benn has made the right move for his career going forward. 

Ryan Garcia finally becomes world champion in dominant fashion

Ryan Garcia is finally a world champion after beating Mario Barrios for WBC welterweight title by unanimous decision.

There was plenty of noise ahead of the opening bell on Saturday night as to whether Garcia can deliver on the big stage once more. 

It's safe to say he silenced those critics in Las Vegas. A first round knockdown set the tone for one sided 12-round affair. 

Barrios did very little to trouble Garcia who has now opened the door for some major showdowns against the likes of Benn and Shakur Stevenson in the near future. 

Leigh Wood sends Josh Warrington into retirement

On British shores, Leigh Wood and Josh Warrington were the focus with their rematch in Nottingham. 

Nearly three years after the first encounter, which Wood won by knockout, the two former world champions ran it back once more. 

What many hoped would be a bad blooded affair turned out to be a dominant display from Wood, and there is a case where he won all 12 rounds en-route to a unanimous decision victory. 

Warrington looked a shadow of his former self, the intense style which made him fan favourite was not on display with only the odd punch landing clean. 

When it comes to what's next, retirement for both would be the sensible option, but for Warrington, it's now a real possibility with 'The Leeds Warrior' confirming he will think about his future following the defeat. 

Claressa Shields continues to dominate

No surprises here, Claressa Shields added another win to her unbeaten resume after beating Franchon Crews-Dezurn for a second time. 

Shields successfully defended her undisputed women's heavyweight title, and cemented herself as the self proclaimed 'GWOAT'.

Questions will begin to be asked as to who else Shields could face, but for now, all she can do is keep winning and adding to her legacy.

Bilal Fawaz puts himself into world title contention

The fascinating career of Bilal Fawaz continued on Saturday night with a majority decision win over Ishmael Davis to become the British and Commonwealth super welterweight champion. 

Fawaz took advantage of a fading Davis in the second half of the fight, and now has the Lonsdale belt despite not having a British passport. 

At 37 years old, there is not much time left for Fawaz's boxing career, so if he is to continue adding to one of boxing's feel-good stories, perhaps a date with IBF super welterweight champion Josh Kelly at the Stadium of Light in the summer?

It would certainly be an intriguing matchup with all-British fights rarely failing to deliver.

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