Ryan Garcia defeats Conor Benn by second‑round stoppage in Las Vegas

Ryan Garcia crushed Briton Conor Benn with a ruthless second-round stoppage to retain his WBC welterweight crown in a world title mismatch in Las Vegas.

The American dominated from the opening bell, repeatedly punishing Benn as the 29-year-old charged forward with a wild and increasingly desperate approach.

Benn was dropped by a flush right hook in round two but managed to beat the count. before Garcia continued the onslaught with Benn backed against the ropes until the referee stepped in.

"I knew he would bring the pressure, I felt the shots and though 'I'll let him have his way', but I knew his was reckless and you can't do that with me," Garcia told DAZN.

"147lb is my division. I'm here, you can trust me as a champion."

It was a sobering - and, for many in the sport, unsurprising - conclusion to the biggest night of Benn's life in boxing.

Few gave the Essex fighter much chance, with Benn, who fell to the second defeat of his 10-year professional career, having never faced an opponent of Garcia's calibre and some questioning whether he had done enough to earn a world title shot in the first place.

Benn was fighting at welterweight for the first time in more than four years and had already said this would be his final appearance in the division, regardless of the result.

Garcia, 28, stayed true to his promise to stop Benn inside five rounds as he made a successful first defence of the title with his 26th win from 28 professional contests.