Conor Benn stunned fans with a classy 11-word response to Ryan Garcia after his brutal two-round knockout loss — no excuses, just respect.
After the fight a short time ago he simply said it had not been his night and even said Ryan Garcia had proved a great champion.
Considering the level of animosity going in, many in the sport are stunned to see such a response to his defeat tonight. Some notes;
- No excuses. He accepted the loss cleanly, which is rare after a brutal knockout.
- Praised Garcia. He called his rival a “great champion” despite weeks of hostility.
- Hostile build-up. Garcia had mocked him with an egg and threats of real damage.
- First career stoppage. Benn was stopped for the first time and still stayed gracious.
- Hospital trip. He was taken to hospital yet still posted a classy message.
- No interviews. He skipped all post-fight media, making the tweet his only comment.
- Only 11 words. Remarkably brief for a fighter who had talked so much beforehand.
- Garcia stayed aggressive. Benn was more silent while Garcia kept trash-talking post-fight.
- No dispute. He never argued the stoppage was early or unfair.
- Rare self-awareness. He admitted Garcia was simply levels above him that night.
At the end of the day it proved to be the case that Garcia had too much ability and Benn had done the 147 pounds cut totally incorrectly at the same time.
Not a good combination for the UK fighter tonight in boxing in the Ryan Garcia TKO defeat for him.
The Ryan Garcia vs Devin Haney fight is the bout being called for by most people at this point after tonight.
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