Conor Benn says he'd have only done 'extreme' dieting for WBC title shot

Besides taking punches to the head and body, the most dangerous aspect of boxing is cutting weight. Many things can go wrong to the point of having to go to the hospital, if not done correctly. 

In the case of Conor Benn, the question has been: Will he make the welterweight limit of 147 pounds ahead of his chance to claim the WBC title against Ryan Garcia on Saturday, live on DAZN PPV in select territories, including the UK & Ireland? 

Benn hasn't competed at 147 pounds since a second-round TKO over ​Chris van Heerden in April 2022. His last two fights were contested at middleweight opposite Chris Eubank Jr., where Benn weighed 156¼ and 159¼, respectively. 

The 29-year-old has gone to great lengths to ensure he weighs in on Friday morning on point. 

"I've been extremely disciplined," Benn told DAZN. "I've been dieting for about 15 weeks. Like when I've been dieting for 15 weeks, I'm talking about dieting. Near a thousand calories a day deficit. 

"I'm talking to that extreme. Messed with my hormones. Messed with my mood, emotions. Genuinely felt like I've been dragged down to the pits of hell. I had a fight with Satan and come back to life."

Why go to these depths just to face Garcia? For Benn, it's not about 'King Ry'. It's all about the green and gold belt his father, Nigel, won in the past. 

"Not Ryan. For the world title," Benn admits. "Could have (Mario) Barrios. Could have been anyone. I wanted to win a world title in this division."

Watch Garcia vs. Benn on DAZN

Britain's Conor Benn looks to become a world champion for the first time against US superstar Ryan Garcia on Saturday, September 12.

Watch the fight exclusively in the UK & Ireland and other territories (check for availability) on DAZN PPV or included in our Ultimate Tier subscription.

For more information, pricing and to buy, click here .