WBC champion Garcia announces Benn fight for September

A split picture of Ryan Garcia (wearing a black T-shirt and cap, with the WBC welterweight title over his shoulder) and a shirtless Conor Benn celebrating

Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption,

Ryan Garcia (left) has picked up 20 of his 25 wins by knockout

ByBobbie JacksonBBC Sport journalist

Published8 minutes ago

WBC welterweight champion Ryan Garcia says he will face Britain's Conor Benn in Las Vegas in September.

Garcia, 27, won his first major belt in February when he beat Mario Barrios by unanimous decision, after two failed title bids.

Benn, 29, has never competed for a world title and is looking to follow in the footsteps of his father Nigel, who was a two-weight world champion.

"He's from across the pond - his name is Conor Benn. He's been talking a lot, he's talking crazy," Garcia said on Jimmy Fallon's Tonight Show.

"He actually confronted me at an awards show two years ago. My wife was there and he pressed me, grabbed me, so it's a little personal.

"We'll be ready to go. I'm going to put a whooping on this man."

Benn, 29, has not fought at welterweight since February 2024 after moving up two divisions in 2025 to face Chris Eubank Jr at middleweight, before beating Regis Prograis in April at a catchweight - 3lb above the welterweight limit.

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Benn left previous promoters Matchroom to sign a one-bout deal with Zuffa Boxing in February and has since penned a multi-fight deal with the company, which is backed by UFC chief Dana White and Saudi Arabian capital.

Last month, Benn told BBC Sport Garcia was "good for boxing" but believes he is a "liability".

Garcia has won 25 of his 28 fights as a professional, losing two with one no-contest, and was suspended from boxing for a year between 2024 and 2025 after failing a drugs test.

Benn, who has lost just once in 25 fights, was also sidelined for a year amid a doping scandal.

Garcia v Benn will take place on 12 September, the same night Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez faces WBC super-middleweight champion Christian Mbilli in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.