In a highly anticipated matchup, Ryan Garcia will defend his WBC welterweight title against Conor Benn on September 12, 2026, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. This event coincides with the Mexican Independence Day Weekend and is co-promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and Zuffa Boxing, further elevating the stakes of this significant bout.
Garcia, who boasts a professional record of 25 wins and 2 losses, with 20 of those victories coming by knockout, enters the ring as the early favorite. He secured the WBC welterweight championship in February after a decisive unanimous decision victory over Mario Barrios. Known for his confidence, Garcia has boldly predicted that he will finish Benn within the first five rounds, showcasing his determination to retain his title.
On the other hand, Conor Benn, with a record of 25 wins and just 1 loss, including 14 knockouts, is making a notable return to the welterweight division after a four-year hiatus. Benn has been on a roll, having recently defeated both Chris Eubank Jr. and Regis Prograis, which has reignited interest in his career. However, he is dropping weight to compete at 147 pounds, a move he has described as a 'brutal' challenge. Benn has also expressed his discontent with Garcia's rise to a title shot, pointing out Garcia's previous defeat to Rolly Romero in 2025, suggesting that Garcia's title opportunity was not entirely earned.
According to early betting odds from FanDuel, Ryan Garcia is favored at -350, while Conor Benn is listed at +250. These odds reflect the general sentiment among analysts and fans regarding the fight's potential outcome. As the fight approaches, predictions continue to roll in, with various experts weighing in on how each fighter's strengths and weaknesses might play out in the ring.
Boxing trainer Robert Garcia, who has worked closely with Ryan, believes that the champion will be well-prepared and focused come fight night. He predicts that fans will witness a determined 'King Ry' who will aim for his 21st knockout victory. In contrast, former champion Tim Bradley has offered a more balanced perspective, suggesting that the fight could be evenly matched. He highlighted that Garcia has faced difficulties against powerful punchers in the past, making Benn's explosive style a potential challenge.
The fight is set to begin at 8 p.m. ET, with the main event ring walks expected around 11 p.m. ET. Fans can catch the action live on DAZN Pay-Per-View, available for a one-time fee of $34, or through the DAZN Ultimate Tier subscription for $49.99 per month in the United States.
The undercard for this exciting event also features several notable bouts, including Jai Opetaia facing Noel Mikaelian in a cruiserweight clash, Mark Magsayo taking on Andres Cortes in lightweight action, and a heavyweight showdown between Damazion Vanhouter and Raphael Akpejiori. Other fights on the card include Jose Ramirez against Alexis Rocha in the welterweight division and several more matchups across various weight classes.
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