Conor Benn and Ryan Garcia reignited their fiery verbal showdown on Thursday in Las Vegas, a press conference that turned into a spectacle when former champion Teofimo Lopez masqueraded as a reporter, complete with a fake beard, to ask a question. The event, billed as the final pre‑fight press conference, set the tone for what promises to be a blockbuster bout. Garcia, the WBC welterweight champion (25‑2 with 20 knockouts), will defend his title for the first time against Benn after capturing the belt from Mario Barrios in February.
Benn, coming in at 25‑1 with 14 KOs, is stepping into what many consider the toughest challenge of his career following his April triumph over Regis Prograis and a decisive revenge win against Chris Eubank Jr. "Just don’t cuddle me in here. I didn’t travel all the way to America for you to cuddle," Benn snarled, making it clear he was there to fight, not to exchange pleasantries.
Both athletes have previously been entangled in doping controversies. Garcia tested positive for the prohibited substance ostarine earlier this year, while Benn’s provisional anti‑doping suspension—stemming from two failed tests in 2022—was lifted in 2024. Garcia, who skipped Wednesday’s face‑to‑face meeting, was the more vocal of the two, hurling a barrage of insults across the table toward the British fighter.
When the microphone was handed back to the American, he continued his tirade, prompting Benn to raise a finger to his lips before walking off the stage. "He’s going to try real hard, we know that.
He’ll probably have to resort to some dirty tactics, so we’ll be ready for that," Garcia warned. "We’ll stay sharp, be prepared for everything, and we’re 100 percent conditioned. We’ll put on a hell of a show, I promise you that." The weight‑cut issue also became a focal point. Benn, who previously fought Eubank Jr.
at middleweight, is making a significant drop back down to the welterweight limit of 147 pounds. His last bout at that weight was against Chris van Heerden in April 2022.
At 29, this will be his first world‑title opportunity and, according to many analysts, his toughest test by a wide margin. "I’m not concerned," Benn declared.
"I don’t focus on him or what he does; I focus on what I do. I bring tenacity, ferocity, spite, experience. I’ve fought in front of 70,000 fans three times now, on the bounce. I’m here to set the tone from the opening round." Garcia continued to poke at Benn’s upcoming weigh‑in, suggesting the Brit would struggle to make the limit.
"I know you’re not on weight, I can see it in your eyes. You ain’t on weight," Garcia said.
"You’ll be hitting that bathtub tonight, or the bike." The exchange grew personal when Garcia took offense at Benn questioning his Mexican heritage and also launched attacks at Benn’s father, former champion Nigel Benn. "Come Saturday night when his blood is spilling out of his mouth, that will be enough to show him how Mexican I am," Garcia retorted. "I heard his dad talking like he was going to knock me out. Bet he won’t.
Your son won’t knock me out. He couldn’t even knock out Regis. Your dad’s lying to you.
I hope you know that." Benn shot back, urging Garcia to focus on his own issues. "He seems to have enough problems as it is," Benn said. "I don’t look at him; I just worry about myself and don’t cut corners. We’ll see who makes weight tomorrow." Adding an odd twist to the proceedings, WBA ‘Super’ welterweight champion Teofimo Lopez appeared in the audience disguised as a journalist named "Jack Hoffman," complete with a prosthetic beard, before posing a question to the fighters.
The stunt added a layer of surreal humor to an otherwise tense atmosphere. Beyond the trash talk, both fighters have compelling narratives heading into the ring. Garcia, a rising star with a polished amateur pedigree, has been praised for his speed, hand‑speed, and precision punching.
His recent victory over Barrios cemented his status as a legitimate champion, but the ostarine scandal has cast a shadow over his reputation, prompting him to double‑down on proving his legitimacy inside the squared circle. Benn, on the other hand, is a British‑American hybrid who has built his career on aggressive pressure and a willingness to take risks. His recent victories over seasoned opponents like Prograis and Eubank Jr. have shown his ability to adapt mid‑fight and recover from adversity.
The weight‑cut back to welterweight will test his stamina and power, but he remains confident that his experience fighting large crowds will give him a psychological edge. The upcoming Saturday showdown is more than just a title defense; it’s a clash of styles, personalities, and redemption arcs. Garcia will look to silence his critics and demonstrate that his championship is earned, not given. Benn aims to solidify his place among the elite by conquering a champion who combines speed with technical skill.
As the two men continue to trade barbs, the boxing world watches with anticipation, aware that the real drama will unfold when the gloves come off and the lights shine on the canvas. Fans can expect a high‑octane encounter, with Garcia likely to employ his trademark rapid combinations and footwork, while Benn will press forward, seeking to land heavy, body‑targeted shots. The question remains: will Garcia’s speed outmaneuver Benn’s power, or will Benn’s relentless aggression overwhelm the younger champion? Only the night’s action will answer that, but one thing is clear—neither fighter is interested in a friendly handshake; they are both here to win, and the stakes have never been higher.