TLDR
- Ryan Garcia skipped a scheduled Tuesday face-off with Conor Benn in Las Vegas, leaving his opponent waiting alone
- Garcia said he wasn’t there ‘because I didn’t want to be’ and that he’s never had to do a Tuesday face-off before
- The champion mocked Benn on Instagram, posting about relaxing while his opponent ‘wastes time’ at the event
- Benn called Garcia’s no-show ‘disrespectful to the public’ and said fans deserve better
- Garcia defends his WBC welterweight title for the first time Saturday night at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas
Sources: middleeasy.com | marca.com | usatoday.com
Ryan Garcia skipped a scheduled face-off with Conor Benn on Tuesday, September 8, leaving his opponent and media waiting at the event in Las Vegas. The WBC welterweight champion offered no apology when explaining his decision the following day.
“I wasn’t there because I didn’t want to be,” Garcia said during a media event on Wednesday, September 9. “I mean, look it, we got a face-off at the press conference (Thursday), then at the weigh-ins (Friday) and then a final face-off literally in the ring when the refs give you instructions.”
The 28-year-old champion said he has never had to do a Tuesday face-off during previous fight weeks in Las Vegas. Garcia explained he had a routine to follow and simply chose not to attend.
Garcia did not inform Benn he would not be coming to the event. Benn appeared irritated when he discovered Garcia was absent.
“It was funny seeing him staring at himself,” Garcia said.
Ryan Garcia responded to a Conor Benn fan heckling him at the open workout:
🗣️ Fan: "Conor's gonna get you!"
🗣️ Ryan: "Conor sucks d*ck." 😭
(via @ringmagazine)pic.twitter.com/XzSuV3472L
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) September 10, 2026
Garcia Mocks Opponent on Social Media
While Benn waited at the face-off event, Garcia posted on his Instagram story showing someone playing video games. “Nice relaxing time as Conor wastes time showing up to a face off,” Garcia wrote, followed by crying laughing emojis.
Garcia also took a shot at Benn’s struggle to make the 147-pound weight limit. Benn, 29, has been working to cut weight ahead of Friday’s weigh-in.
“Ultimately it’s disrespectful to the public because the public deserve it,” Benn said Wednesday. “The public deserves us giving you guys the best. This is what we do. This is what we’re here for.”
Title Fight Set for Saturday Night
Garcia will defend his WBC welterweight title for the first time on Saturday, September 12, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The fight is scheduled as part of Mexico’s Independence Day celebrations.
Garcia captured the WBC welterweight title against Mario Barrios. He brings a record of 25-2 with 20 knockouts into the fight.
Benn will challenge for a world title for the first time in his career. The British fighter holds a record of 25-1 with 14 knockouts.
Benn is the son of legendary world champion Nigel Benn. He is attempting to write his own chapter in his family’s boxing history.
Experts consider Garcia the favorite to win the fight. His speed, precision, and counterpunching power are expected to make the difference against Benn’s aggressive style.
Benn’s physical strength and offensive approach could make the fight competitive. The bout will air on DAZN starting at 6:00 p.m. Central Mexico time.
The full card includes a co-main event featuring Jai Opetaia versus Noel Mikaelyan for Zuffa cruise titles. Several other fights round out the undercard at the T-Mobile Arena.
