Ryan Garcia showed no remorse for skipping the scheduled face‑off with Conor Benn on Tuesday, calling it "funny" to watch the British boxer pretend to square up with his own father, Nigel. The American star is gearing up for the first defense of his WBC welterweight championship, a bout that will take place Saturday night at the T‑Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Earlier in the week the two fighters were supposed to meet at a media event in the Mandalay Bay Hotel, but Garcia simply did not appear.
Benn later accused his opponent of "bottling it" after the no‑show. When questioned at a press conference on Wednesday, Garcia explained his reasoning: "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. It was funny seeing him [Benn] staring at himself." Garcia's comments sparked a flurry of reactions online, with many fans debating whether his decision was a strategic move or a sign of disrespect.
The American fighter emphasized that his preparation routine is built around specific milestones, and a mid‑week face‑off would have disrupted his focus. He also hinted that the spectacle of a face‑off, especially when one party appears disinterested, can become a distraction for both the athletes and the audience.
In contrast, Benn expressed disappointment on Wednesday, saying the missed encounter let the public down. "Ultimately it's disrespectful to the public because they deserve it," he said.
"The public deserves us giving you guys the best. This is what we do.
This is what we're here for." Benn enters the fight as the underdog. After moving up to middleweight for a bout with Chris Eubank Jr., he returned to welterweight for a catch‑weight clash with Regis Prograis in April, which he won.
If he makes the 147‑pound limit at Friday's weigh‑in, it will be his first fight 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. The British fighter has faced criticism about his ability to make weight.
He responded with a gritty statement, likening his weight‑cut journey to being "dragged through the pits of hell and had a fight with Satan." Benn claimed he endured 15 weeks of strict dieting to hit the limit, adding, "A lot of people said I couldn't make the weight, watch me do it. I've done it, and that's it." Looking ahead, Benn indicated that this could be his final appearance at welterweight. He hinted at moving up to either 160 pounds (super welterweight) or 168 pounds (middleweight) after the bout, suggesting a desire to fight at a more natural weight where he feels stronger and less drained. Garcia, however, warned against any post‑fight excuses regarding weight.
"All we can do is go by past experience," he said. "He cut back down to 150 pounds to fight Regis 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 extends beyond the missing face‑off. Garcia has been vocal about his confidence, repeatedly stating that he intends to dominate the fight and that any weight‑cut issues Benn might face will not affect the outcome. He emphasized his own preparation, noting that he has fought in Las Vegas numerous times and is accustomed to the unique pressures of a high‑profile title defense. Meanwhile, Benn's camp has been busy promoting the fight as a classic clash of styles: Garcia's speed and power versus Benn's technical boxing and resilience.
Analysts have pointed out that Garcia's knockout ratio and youthful energy make him a formidable opponent, while Benn's experience in both welterweight and middleweight divisions gives him a broader skill set. The promotional material surrounding the event includes a series of video highlights and teaser clips.
One video shows Jai Opetaia stopping Noel Mikaelian, setting the stage for a potential mega‑fight involving David Benavidez. Another clip features a dramatic two‑round knockout where Garcia allegedly defeats Benn, a piece of content that has sparked debate about its authenticity and timing. Fans are also reminded to use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player when streaming the pre‑fight content, a technical note that appears repeatedly in the promotional material.
As the weigh‑ins approach, both fighters are under intense scrutiny. Garcia's decision to skip the Tuesday face‑off may be seen as a psychological tactic, aiming to keep Benn off balance. Benn, on the other hand, is focused on proving that he can make weight, fight effectively at welterweight, and possibly set up a future move to a higher division.
The upcoming Saturday night showdown promises to be more than just a title defense; it is a test of mental fortitude, preparation habits, and the ability to adapt to unexpected circumstances. Whether Garcia's non‑attendance will have any lasting impact on the fight remains to be seen, but the narrative has already added an extra layer of intrigue for the millions of viewers who will tune in to watch the two athletes clash in the ring.