Conor Benn vs Ryan Garcia: News Conference Heats Up Ahead of WBC Welterweight Title Fight

Conor Benn and Ryan Garcia traded threats and were separated at their first press conference for the WBC welterweight title fight on September 12 in Las Vegas.

Heated Exchange at New York Press Conference

The first press conference for the Conor Benn vs. Ryan Garcia WBC welterweight title fight turned into a near-brawl on Saturday in New York, with security stepping in to separate the two fighters after a heated exchange. The event, held at Fanatics, set the tone for what promises to be a volatile buildup to their September 12 showdown at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

According to reports from Boxing Insider, the confrontation began when Benn made a comment that sent Garcia out of his chair. Garcia responded by threatening to “smack them glasses straight off your face.” The exchange required security personnel to keep the two apart, a scene that underscored the personal animosity between the British challenger and the American champion.

The fight, co-promoted by Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions and Dana White’s Zuffa Boxing, marks Benn’s first world title opportunity. Garcia claimed the WBC welterweight belt with a unanimous decision victory over Mario Barrios in February, following a points loss to Rolando Romero in May 2025.

Benn, 29, has taken an unconventional path to this title shot. After suffering his first professional defeat to Chris Eubank Jr. at middleweight, he avenged that loss in a November rematch. He then moved back down to defeat Regis Prograis at 150 pounds in April on the undercard of Tyson Fury’s comeback bout at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Promoter Eddie Hearn, who has had a public falling out with Benn since the fighter left Matchroom for Zuffa Boxing, questioned the wisdom of Benn dropping back to 147 pounds. In an interview with K.O. Artist Sports, Hearn said, “I don’t like Conor at 147; I don’t believe he should be fighting down there. He had those two fights with Eubank at 160. He fought Regis Prograis at 150. He looked terrible in that fight.”

Hearn added that making 147 pounds would be “brutal” for Benn and questioned whether Benn would carry his power or chin at the lower weight. “And Ryan’s a world-class fighter. He’s very sharp and is a big puncher,” Hearn said. “But it’ll be fun because Conor’s got big balls – he’ll have a right go.”

Benn, however, has shown no lack of confidence. On social media, he posted: “You’ve quit once… I’ll make you quit again! Can’t teach heart! See you September 12th.” The tweet referenced Garcia’s controversial withdrawal from a previous fight, a point Benn has used repeatedly in their war of words.

Garcia, 27, has established himself as a world-level fighter despite the setback against Romero. His win over Barrios demonstrated his ability to go the distance against a durable champion, and his speed and power have made him one of the most marketable names in the sport.

The matchup presents a classic contrast in styles and narratives. Garcia is the established champion with a proven track record at welterweight. Benn is the aggressive, untested challenger who has fought most of his recent bouts above 147 pounds, raising questions about how he will handle the weight cut and whether he can replicate his power at the lower division.

Benn’s trainer, Tony Sims, has stated that a win over Garcia would be one of the biggest in British boxing history. That assessment reflects the scale of the challenge: Garcia is a fast, sharp puncher who has already beaten a world champion, while Benn’s most notable victories have come against fighters like Eubank Jr. and Prograis, both of whom were considered past their prime.

The co-promotion between Golden Boy and Zuffa Boxing adds another layer of intrigue. Zuffa Boxing, led by UFC president Dana White, has been aggressively signing top boxing talent, including Shakur Stevenson. The involvement of two major promotional entities suggests significant financial backing and a high-profile production for the September 12 event.

For fans, the press conference offered a preview of the intensity that will likely carry through to fight night. The personal nature of the exchanges—Garcia’s threat to Benn’s glasses, Benn’s taunt about quitting—suggests that both men are deeply invested in the outcome. Whether that translates into a technical boxing match or a brawl remains to be seen, but the early signs point to a fight that could deliver on its promotional promises.

As the boxing world turns its attention to Las Vegas, the questions surrounding Benn’s weight cut and Garcia’s durability will dominate the analysis. Hearn’s doubts about Benn’s power and chin at 147 pounds are not unfounded, but Benn has shown resilience and a willingness to take risks. Garcia, meanwhile, has the advantage of being the proven commodity at this weight class.

The September 12 date at T-Mobile Arena will be the ultimate test for both fighters. For Benn, it is a chance to prove he belongs at the elite level. For Garcia, it is an opportunity to cement his status as a dominant champion. The press conference in New York made one thing clear: neither man intends to back down.