Benn makes weight - then puts on 32lbs in 12 hours

Conor Benn and Ryan Garcia both comfortably made the welterweight limit for their WBC title fight, despite concerns at how they would fare on the scales.

Briton Benn, 29, weighed in at 10st 6lb (66kg) for Saturday's bout - half a pound heavier than the champion.

The official weigh-in took place behind closed doors at the UFC Apex on Friday, but only 12 hours later, Benn revealed on social media that he had put on 32lbs to reach 12st 10lb (81.65kg).

Speaking at a ceremonial event in front of fans later on Friday, Benn already looked noticeably bigger, his face and shoulders having filled out.

"Did it look hard? How did I look?," he asked. "We'll see tomorrow night how good I really feel."

Benn had previously said he could weigh as much as 12st 7lb (80kg) by the time he stepped into the ring on Saturday.

Garcia has won 25 of his 28 professional contests, including 20 knockout victories, with two defeats and one no-contest. Benn has 25 wins - 14 by knockout - and one loss, and is fighting for his first world title.

American Garcia, 28, won the WBC belt with a dominant points victory over Mario Barrios in February and is making his first defence against Benn.

Much of the build-up this week has centred on how Benn would cope with returning to the 10st 7lb welterweight limit for the first time in more than four years.

His two fights against Chris Eubank Jr were both at middleweight, with Benn weighing 11st 2lb (71kg) for the first and 11st 5lb (72kg) for the rematch. For his win over Regis Prograis in April, Benn weighed 10st 10lb (69kg).

He has already said he will vacate the title and move back up in weight if he beats Garcia.

Benn had looked increasingly gaunt and drawn during fight week and told BBC Sport the cut had taken him to the "pits of hell".

But Benn smiled as his weight was announced at the official weigh-in. He looked in good shape, surprising several observers who had expected the effects of the cut to be far more visible.

A handful of undercard fighters weighed in after Benn while Garcia was still nowhere to be seen, prompting questions about whether the Californian was having difficulties making the limit.

Garcia has had problems on the scales before. He weighed more than three pounds over the light-welterweight limit before his fight against Devin Haney in 2024.

There was no such drama this time. Garcia sprinted towards the scales about 10 minutes after Benn and also looked at ease as he comfortably made the weight.

Hundreds of fans braved temperatures of around 40C outside T-Mobile Arena for the ceremonial event on Friday evening.

There was a lively atmosphere as a mariachi band entertained the crowd on Mexican Independence Day weekend, before Mexican-American Garcia took to the stage.

Retired three-weight undisputed champion Terence Crawford was among those watching as Benn bowed to the crowd, receiving a few boos but no overwhelming reaction either way.

Garcia followed with his daughter and WWE star Rey Mysterio alongside him on stage, receiving the louder reception - although there were plenty of jeers mixed in.

Just as he was at Thursday's news conference, Garcia, who was draped in an American flag, was a bundle of energy as he bounced on his toes, while Benn barely moved and stared intently at his opponent.

There was no repeat of the scuffles which have punctuated parts of the build-up, with Benn remaining stone-faced before the pair were separated.

"I want to thank all the great fans for showing out - it's really hot out here so I'm grateful," Garcia said.

The weight is particularly significant because of the contrasting styles.

Benn relies heavily on aggression, explosiveness and sustained pressure, while Garcia is a fast and dangerous counter-puncher who is comfortable catching opponents as they come forward.

Any draining effects of the cut could therefore leave Benn more vulnerable to Garcia's speed and powerful left hook, while also raising questions over whether the Briton can maintain his usual intensity over 12 rounds.

With no rehydration clause in place, though, Benn will weight significantly more by the time he steps into the ring on Saturday.

He is still an underdog against Garcia - a fighter with greater amateur pedigree and a more accomplished professional resume - but Benn's size and physical pressure could become one of his biggest advantages.