Ryan Garcia showed no remorse for missing the scheduled face‑to‑face press event with Conor Benn on Tuesday, joking that it was "funny" to watch the British boxer act as though he were confronting his own father, Nigel. The upcoming showdown will see Garcia defend his WBC welterweight crown against Benn at Las Vegas’ T‑Mobile Arena on Saturday night. Earlier in the week the two fighters were supposed to appear together at a media gathering in the Mandalay Bay Hotel, but the American star simply did not turn up.
Benn later accused Garcia of "bottling it" after the no‑show. When questioned at a Wednesday press conference, Garcia offered a straightforward 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 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 I just didn't feel like doing it." He added, "It was funny seeing him [Benn] staring at himself." The incident has sparked a flurry of commentary across boxing podcasts and news sites. On the Toe2Toe Podcast, hosts debated whether the ongoing negotiations between Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury were moving forward, while another episode featured Barry Jones weighing in on Benn's recent defeat.
In related news, WBO champion Denzel Bentley suggested that Benn could "skip the queue" and earn a middleweight world‑title opportunity if he rebounds quickly. Meanwhile, the Sky Sports card for September 26, featuring Johnny Fisher versus Michael Pirotton, has been finalized, and former world champion Ricky Hatton’s career was commemorated in a special feature.
Benn, for his part, expressed disappointment that Garcia’s absence 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 fighter enters the bout as the underdog after a recent move up to middleweight to take on Chris Eubank Jr. He suffered his first loss to Eubank in April 2025, but avenged that defeat later in November.
In April, Benn rebounded with a victory over Regis Prograis at a 150‑pound catch‑weight, demonstrating his ability to compete across weight classes. If Benn makes weight at Friday’s official weigh‑in, it will mark his first appearance at the welterweight limit (147 pounds) in more than four years. His last fight at or below that weight was against Chris van Heerden in April 2022. Benn has faced criticism and skepticism about his capacity to drop down, but he has responded with determination, describing his weight‑cut journey as feeling "dragged through the pits of hell and having a fight with Satan." He noted, "A lot of people said I couldn't make the weight, watch me do it," adding that he endured fifteen weeks of strict dieting to shed the necessary pounds.
"I've done it, and that's it," Benn affirmed, indicating that this will be his final contest at 147 pounds before he aims to move up to either 160 or 168 pounds in the future. He believes the experience will make him stronger and more disciplined at higher divisions.
Garcia, however, made it clear he expects no excuses from Benn regarding the weight cut. "All we can do is go by past experience," Garcia 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 athletes adds another layer of intrigue to what is already a highly anticipated bout. Garcia, a young, fast‑handed champion with a sizable fan base, has built his reputation on knockout power and a charismatic persona.
Benn, meanwhile, has fought his way back from setbacks, showcasing resilience and a willingness to take on bigger challenges, even if it means moving between weight classes. Both camps have been vocal in the lead‑up to the fight. Garcia’s team has emphasized his disciplined training regimen, his focus on speed and precision, and his confidence that he can handle any opponent, regardless of size.
Benn’s camp has highlighted his gritty work ethic, his ability to adapt mid‑fight, and his determination to prove doubters wrong after the weight‑cut saga. Beyond the personal rivalry, the fight carries broader implications for the welterweight division.
A victory for Garcia would solidify his standing as a dominant champion and potentially set up unification talks with other titleholders. A win for Benn could catapult him back into title contention and open doors for future high‑profile matchups, possibly even a return to middleweight where he has already demonstrated success. As the weigh‑in approaches, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see whether Benn can make the limit without compromising his performance, and whether Garcia’s decision to skip the early face‑off will have any psychological impact on the fight itself.
Regardless of the outcome, the bout promises to deliver drama, skill, and a compelling narrative that underscores the unpredictable nature of boxing.