Conor Benn challenges for world honours for the first time in his career when he faces WBC welterweight champion Ryan Garcia next month, and former undisputed super-lightweight ruler Josh Taylor has revealed his prediction for the fight.

Benn has not fought as a welterweight since April 2022, but ‘The Destroyer’ was controversially named as the WBC’s mandatory challenger in the 147lb division when he announced his intention to return to the weight at the beginning of the year.

As a result, when Garcia dethroned Mario Barrios, it seemed inevitable that Garcia-Benn would be next. Although, the Brit instead decided to sign with Zuffa Boxing and stop off on his way back down with a 150lb catchweight affair against Regis Prograis.

The fight took place on the Tyson Fury vs. Arslanbek Makhmudov undercard, where Benn underwhelmed against a visibly injured Prograisunable to dispatch of the damaged American despite his frailties.

Speaking with Boxing NewsTaylor admitted that Benn’s performance against Prograis has convinced him that Garcia will knock him out.

“It doesn’t excite me at all, really. It’s a big fight, it’s a big commercial fight, Ryan is huge commercially, so is Conor.

“Boxing ability-wise, I think that Ryan probably knocks him out, [presuming] everything is all good and that [with Garcia]. I just think Ryan is the better boxer; he is quicker, he is sharper, he has got more experience in the game.

“Conor has done well, he has improved a hell of a lot, he is quick, he is strong, he is bigger and stronger than Ryan, but going off that last performance [against Prograis]I don’t think that Ryan has got anything to worry about.

“I think that Ryan probably knocks him out, after that last performance.”

Fans don’t have to wait long to see the outcome as the fight takes place on Saturday, September 12at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Former world title challenger Raven Chapman has received widespread support from across boxing after undergoing emergency surgery for a brain injury sustained following a sparring session in Denmark.

Chapman was placed in a medically induced coma on July 24. The procedure successfully stopped the bleeding, and the 32-year-old is continuing to receive treatment before being transferred to a hospital in the UK.

Messages of support have since poured in from across the boxing community. Promoter Frank Warren shared a link to the GoFundMe campaign set up to support Chapman’s family, which has received donations from fellow fighters as well as promoters Eddie Hearn and Nakisa Bidarian. Former opponent Skye Nicolson urged the Brit to “keep fighting” as she continues her recovery.

Chapman’s management team released the following statement:

“On Friday, July 24, Raven unexpectedly collapsed after a sparring session in Denmark. Emergency services were called immediately, and she was airlifted to a local hospital. She was diagnosed with a brain haematoma and cerebral oedema.

“Raven underwent emergency surgery immediately. The procedure successfully stopped the bleeding and helped stabilise the swelling. She was then placed in a medically induced coma. Over the past day, she has been taken off the sedatives and is continuing to receive treatment while awaiting medically supervised repatriation to a hospital in the UK, where her rehabilitation is expected to take some time.

“Her doctors are doing everything they can to support her recovery, and we remain hopeful as she continues to fight through this incredibly difficult time. Raven’s family are in Denmark supporting her during this incredibly difficult time. We kindly ask that their privacy is respected.

“At this stage, this is the only update we are able to provide. If there are any significant developments, we will share further information when it is appropriate to do so. Thank you for your continued support. Please keep Raven and her loved ones in your thoughts during this challenging time.”

Over two years ago, Devin Haney and Ryan Garcia birthed one of boxing’s most fierce rivalries, but both now reign as world champions in the welterweight division.

In April 2024, Garcia had been poised to challenge for Haney’s WBC super-lightweight world title, but ‘King Ry’ lost that opportunity when he weighed in three pounds over the 140lb limit.

The bout went ahead and in a shocking turn of events, the presumedly ill-prepared Garcia was dominant, flooring the champion on three occasions on route to a majority-decision victory.

Yet, the drama was not done there, as Garcia later tested positive for Ostarinewith Haney appealing the result of the fight and having it overturned to a no-contest.

Haney has since gone on to capture the WBO welterweight crown, whilst Garcia claimed the WBC world title earlier this year. Speaking on the Ring Champs YouTube channelformer welterweight undisputed champion, Terence Crawford, predicted that Haney would get the better of Garcia, if a unification rematch were to take place.

“Ryan Garcia [is] cool but he ain’t smart enough [to beat elite fighters]. It’s just that he and Devin fought each other so many times [in the amateurs]they just know each other.

“I think that all of the antics before the fight distracted Devin and caught him off guard, he took Ryan lightly.

“I do [think it would be different if they fought again] because, if you watch the fight, he was just getting hit with the same punch over and over and over.”

Garcia is set to defend his world title for the first time when he is tasked with Conor Benn on Saturday, September 12whilst Haney is still waiting to confirm an opponent for his first outing of 2026.