Conor Benn and Ryan Garcia reignited their fiery verbal exchange during a chaotic final press conference in Las Vegas on Thursday, a session that also featured a bizarre cameo from Teofimo Lopez, who masqueraded as a reporter with a fake beard. The event set the stage for an eagerly anticipated showdown between the two fighters, each eager to prove themselves ahead of their upcoming bout. Garcia, the WBC welterweight champion with a record of 25 wins, two losses and 20 knockouts, earned the belt in February when he defeated Mario Barrios. This will be his first defense of the title, and he will do so against Benn, who holds a 25-1 record with 14 stoppages.
Benn earned his place in the fight after a convincing victory over Regis Prograis in April and a satisfying revenge win against Chris Eubank Jr., which many observers consider the toughest test of his career to date. During the press conference, Benn made it clear he was not interested in any friendly gestures.
"Just don't cuddle me in here. I didn't come all the way to America for you to cuddle," he said, emphasizing his focus on the fight rather than any camaraderie.
Both men have previously been entangled in controversy. Garcia tested positive for the banned substance ostarine earlier in 2024, while Benn’s provisional anti‑doping suspension stemming from two failed tests in 2022 was lifted the same year. Garcia, who skipped Wednesday’s face‑to‑face meeting, was the more animated of the two, hurling a series of barbs across the table toward the Brit.
When the American continued his tirade, Benn simply raised a finger to his lips and walked off the stage, a gesture that underscored his confidence and refusal to be drawn into further trash talk. Garcia warned that Benn would likely resort to "dirty tactics" and that his team was prepared for any such attempt. "He's going to try real hard, we know that. He's probably going to have to try to resort to some dirty tactics, so we'll be prepared for that," Garcia said.
He added, "We’re just going to do what we do best – stay sharp, be ready for everything, and we’re prepared, man. We’re conditioned 100 percent, and we’ll put on a hell of a show, I promise you that." One of the biggest storylines heading into the fight is Benn’s dramatic weight cut.
Having fought Eubank Jr. at middleweight twice, Benn is now shedding pounds to meet the welterweight limit of 147 pounds. His most recent bout at that weight was against Chris van Heerden in April 2022.
At 29 years old, this will be Benn’s first world‑title opportunity, and he acknowledges the challenge: "I’m not concerned. I don’t focus on him and what he does, I focus on what I do. I bring tenacity, ferocity, spite, experience.
I’ve been here before, I’ve fought in front of 70,000 three times now, on the bounce. So you know I’m here to come and really set the tone from the first round." Garcia continued to needle Benn about his weight, claiming he could see the strain in Benn’s eyes.
"I know you’re not on weight, because I can see it in your eyes. You ain’t on weight," he said, adding a taunt about Benn’s likely need to spend the night in a bathtub or on a bike to make the scale. The exchange grew personal when Garcia took offense at Benn’s earlier comments questioning his Mexican heritage, and he turned his fire toward Benn’s father, former champion Nigel Benn.
"Come Saturday night when his blood is spilling out his mouth, that will be enough to show him how Mexican I am," Garcia shouted. He followed with a barrage of insults aimed at Nigel Benn, accusing him of lying and predicting that neither the senior nor the junior Benn would be able to knock him out.
Benn responded by telling Garcia to focus on his own problems. "He seems to have enough problems as it is," he said. "I don’t look at him, I just worry about myself and don’t cut corners.
We’ll see who makes weight tomorrow." The press conference took another unexpected turn when WBA "Super" welterweight champion Teofimo Lopez appeared in the crowd, sporting a fake beard and introducing himself as "Jack Hoffman" before posing a question. The odd disguise added a surreal note to an already tense gathering and left fans wondering whether Lopez was playing a prank or trying to unsettle the combatants. As the fight approaches, both camps are sharpening their strategies.
Garcia’s team emphasizes speed, precision, and the ability to capitalize on any mistakes Benn might make during his weight cut. Benn’s camp, meanwhile, stresses his experience in front of massive crowds, his relentless pressure style, and his confidence that his conditioning will offset any disadvantage from the cut. The bout is slated for Saturday night, and the boxing world is buzzing with speculation.
Analysts note that Garcia’s youth and technical skill set up a classic clash against Benn’s seasoned aggression and power. If the weight‑cut proves too taxing for Benn, Garcia could exploit any sluggishness with rapid combinations and movement. Conversely, if Benn can maintain his strength and stamina, his proven ability to absorb punishment and deliver devastating blows could tilt the balance in his favor. Regardless of the outcome, the event promises a high‑octane spectacle.
Both fighters have demonstrated a willingness to speak their minds, and that candor has only heightened the anticipation. Fans can expect a fight that lives up to the intense verbal sparring that has defined the lead‑up, with each boxer looking to silence the other not just with punches, but with a decisive performance inside the ring.