Ryan Garcia showed no remorse for skipping the scheduled face‑to‑face showdown with Conor Benn on Tuesday, joking that it was "funny" to watch the British boxer pretending to spar with his own father, Nigel. Garcia is preparing for his first defense of the WBC welterweight crown, which will take place against Benn at the T‑Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday night. The two fighters were originally slated to meet for a media‑day interview at the Mandalay Bay Hotel earlier in the week, but Garcia simply did not appear.
Benn responded by accusing his opponent of "bottling it," a claim that added fuel to the pre‑fight hype. When asked about his absence at a Wednesday press conference, Garcia explained his reasoning in a straightforward manner: "I wasn't there because I didn't want to be. Look, we have a face‑off at the press conference on Thursday, then the weigh‑ins on Friday, and then a final face‑off literally in the ring when the referees give you instructions. I've been doing this for a long time.
I've had fight weeks in Vegas before. I've never had to do a face‑off on Tuesday.
So I have a routine, and it's just something I didn't want to do." He added a light‑hearted comment about Benn's reaction, saying, "It was funny seeing him stare at himself." The incident sparked a flurry of commentary across boxing news outlets. Headlines ranged from "Conor Benn slams Ryan Garcia for 'bottling it' after face‑off no‑show" to previews of the upcoming welterweight title clash.
Even unrelated stories about other fighters—such as Michael Pirotton's heavyweight bout with Jonny Fisher and speculation about a Fury‑Joshua showdown—were interspersed in the coverage, underscoring how much attention this rivalry has attracted. Benn, for his part, expressed disappointment that Garcia's decision let the fans down. "Ultimately it's disrespectful to the public because they deserve it," he said on Wednesday.
"The public deserves us giving you guys the best. This is what we do.
This is what we're here for." The British contender enters the fight as an underdog, having recently moved up to middleweight to take on Chris Eubank Jr. He suffered his first loss to Eubank in April 2025, but later avenged that defeat in November. In April, Benn secured a victory over Regis Prograis at a 150‑pound catch‑weight, a performance that has raised questions about his ability to safely make the welterweight limit of 147 pounds.
If Benn successfully makes weight at Friday's official weigh‑in, it will mark his first appearance at the welterweight ceiling in more than four years—the last time he fought under 147 pounds was against Chris van Heerden in April 2022. Benn has faced criticism and skepticism about his weight‑cutting capabilities, prompting him to describe the process as feeling "dragged through the pits of hell and having a fight with Satan." He emphasized his determination, noting, "A lot of people said I couldn't make the weight, watch me do it," after enduring a 15‑week dieting regimen. Benn also hinted that this could be his final bout at 147 pounds, indicating a desire to move up to either 160 or 168 pounds in the future.
Garcia, however, made it clear he would not entertain any post‑fight excuses about weight. "All we can do is go by past experience," Garcia said. "He cut back down to 150 pounds to fight Prograis. We have seen how he bloated up.
Now he has an extra three pounds to go. I don't want to hear any excuses. He doesn't have a rehydration clause. I don't want to be hearing any crybaby s*** from him.
He's trying to set up a narrative, because when he gets his a** whopped, he'll say: 'I was drained.' I'm about to beat his a**, it doesn't matter how much he weighs." The tension between the two fighters has been amplified by the media circus surrounding the face‑off debacle. While Garcia maintains that his routine and preparation take precedence over promotional stunts, Benn argues that fans deserve a full, transparent buildup to a championship bout. Their contrasting viewpoints set the stage for a high‑stakes encounter that promises not only athletic excellence but also a clash of personalities. Both camps have been busy in the final days leading up to the fight.
Garcia's team has focused on sharpening his speed, footwork, and power punches, ensuring that the American star remains sharp after a relatively quiet promotional week. Meanwhile, Benn's camp has been monitoring his weight‑cut progress closely, employing nutritionists and conditioning coaches to guarantee that the British boxer steps on the scale without jeopardizing his health. The fight itself is scheduled for Saturday night at the T‑Mobile Arena, a venue that has hosted numerous high‑profile boxing events. Fans worldwide will be watching, eager to see whether Garcia's confidence and technical skill can overcome Benn's resilience and determination after a grueling weight‑cut journey.
Regardless of the outcome, the pre‑fight drama—highlighted by Garcia's refusal to attend the face‑off and Benn's outspoken criticism—adds an extra layer of intrigue. It underscores how modern boxing promotions blend athletic competition with narrative storytelling, each fighter crafting a persona that resonates with audiences. As the weigh‑ins approach and the final press conferences draw near, the boxing world waits with bated breath for what promises to be a memorable showdown between two of the sport's most compelling figures.