Ryan Garcia showed no remorse for his decision to skip Tuesday's scheduled face‑off with Conor Benn, describing it as "funny" to watch the British boxer pretending to square up with his own father, Nigel, during the promotional event. The American fighter is gearing up for his first defense of the WBC welterweight crown, a bout that will take place on Saturday night at the T‑Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Earlier in the week the two combatants were supposed to meet at the Mandalay Bay Hotel for a media day, but Garcia simply did not appear.
Benn, visibly frustrated, later accused his opponent of "bottling it" and of lacking the courage to face him in front of the cameras. At a press conference on Wednesday, Garcia offered a candid explanation: "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 finally a real face‑off in the ring when the referee gives the instructions. I've been doing this for a long time.
I've had fight weeks in Vegas before and I've never been required to do a face‑off on a Tuesday. I have a routine that works for me, and this was just something I didn't feel was necessary." He added a chuckle, noting, "It was funny seeing him [Benn] staring at himself." The tension between the two fighters has been amplified by a flurry of media coverage.
Headlines have ranged from Benn's contemplation of his future after a crushing loss to Garcia's dominant performance in a two‑round knockout, to speculation about a potential unification bout with Teofimo Lopez. The promotional material repeatedly urges viewers to use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player, underscoring the event's digital focus.
Benn, on his part, expressed disappointment that Garcia's absence had 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 background to this clash is worth noting.
Benn entered the fight as an underdog after a brief foray into the middleweight division, where he faced Chris Eubank Jr. He suffered his first loss to his rival in April 2025, only to avenge that defeat later that November. More recently, he secured a victory over Regis Prograis at a 150‑pound catch‑weight in April, demonstrating his ability to adapt to different weight classes.
If Benn makes weight on Friday, it will mark his first appearance at the welterweight limit—147 pounds—in more than four years. His last fight at that weight was against Chris van Heerden in April 2022. Benn has publicly defended his weight‑cutting process, describing it as a grueling ordeal: "A lot of people said I couldn't make the weight, watch me do it.
I went through 15 weeks of dieting and felt like I was dragged through the pits of hell and had a fight with Satan. I've done it, and that's it." He also hinted that this could be his final bout at 147 pounds, indicating an intention to move up to 160 or even 168 pounds in the future. Garcia, however, warned Benn not to use weight‑cut excuses after the fight. "All we can do is go by past experience," Garcia said.
"He cut back down to 150 pounds to fight Prograis. We saw how he bloated up. Now he has an extra three pounds to shed.
I don't want to hear any excuses. He doesn't have a rehydration clause. I don't want to hear any crybaby stuff from him.
He's trying to set up a narrative, because when he gets his ass whopped, he'll say: 'I was drained.' I'm about to beat his ass, it doesn't matter how much he weighs." The buildup to the Saturday showdown has been filled with speculation about tactics, conditioning, and mental preparation. Garcia, known for his speed and precision, has emphasized his confidence in his training camp, noting that he has refined his footwork and timing to exploit any opening Benn might present. Benn, meanwhile, has focused on his power punching and resilience, vowing to prove that he can compete at welterweight despite the challenges of cutting weight. Both fighters have used social media to rally support.
Garcia posted a series of training clips highlighting his explosive combinations, while Benn shared footage of his grueling weight‑cut regimen, underscoring his dedication. The narrative has been framed as a clash of styles: Garcia's slick, technical boxing versus Benn's aggressive, hard‑hitting approach.
Analysts predict a high‑tempo fight, with Garcia likely to use his jab to control distance and frustrate Benn's attempts to close the gap. Benn, on the other hand, may look to cut off the ring and unleash powerful hooks to the body and head, hoping to wear down Garcia's defenses.
The referee's instructions at the final face‑off in the ring will be crucial, as both camps have emphasized the importance of staying disciplined and avoiding any unsportsmanlike conduct. In the broader context of the welterweight division, this bout could have significant ramifications.
A decisive victory for Garcia would solidify his position as a dominant champion and set the stage for potential unification matches with other titleholders. For Benn, a win would not only avenge his earlier setbacks but also demonstrate his viability as a contender across multiple weight classes, possibly opening doors to future high‑profile fights at higher weights. Regardless of the outcome, the fight promises to deliver drama, skill, and a compelling storyline that extends beyond the ring.
Fans worldwide will be watching closely, eager to see whether Garcia's decision to skip the face‑off was a strategic move that paid off, or whether Benn's perseverance and determination will translate into a career‑defining victory. The stage is set, the lights are on, and the two athletes are poised to write the next chapter in their respective legacies.