Tony Bellew makes his Ryan Garcia vs Conor Benn prediction

Tony Bellew believes Ryan Garcia at his best will be the favourite when he faces Conor Benn in Las Vegas next month. 

Earlier this year, Garcia became WBC welterweight champion with a points win over Mario Barrios, and he will make a tough first defence against the popular Brit who is returning to 147lbs after a spell above that weight class against Chris Eubank Jr and Regis Prograis. 

Question marks remain on how well Benn can perform at his old weight class, but the fight against Garcia was an opportunity he couldn't turn down. 

The Californian has endured mixed results in recent years including a strange setback to Rolly Romero where he was dropped and widely outpointed. 

Bellew has identified Garcia’s indifferent form as Benn’s best chance, but he still makes the American the right pick when making his selection for the fight. 

“With Garcia, it’s the left-hook that is the real power shot with him. My only issue with this fight is that you don’t know which Ryan Garcia is going to turn up,” said Bellew when speaking on Fight Your Corner. 

“If the Ryan that got in with Rolly Romero turns up, that is going to lose, that is not going to be enough. 

“I rate Rolly, as well, Rolly is a good fighter but is Ryan interested? Is he bothered? Mentally, I think that Ryan is all over the place and mentally, I think that Conor Benn is so strong. 

“To get through what he went through for all them years, mentally, he is so, so strong. Garcia is the favourite and he is the overwhelming favourite because of the qualities and the fundamentals that he has; lightning speed and a vicious left-hook.”