Conor Benn travels to Las Vegas this weekend to try to win his first world title as he takes on Ryan Garcia for the WBC welterweight title.
Garcia will defend his crown for the first time and he is the heavy favourite to succeed at the T-Mobile Arena.
Benn will fight at welterweight for the first time since April 2022 as he looks to make a huge statement on the world stage.
Ryan Garcia v Conor Benn Tips Preview
After months of trash-talking and drama, Benn and Ryan will finally get the chance to do damage when they share the ring in Nevada this weekend.
Benn has dreamed of emulating his father by winning a WBC title and, after calling out Garcia for months, he finally gets his wish.
Despite being involved in plenty of big fights, Garcia only became a world champion for the first time in February. He beat Mario Barrios on points at the same venue and will look to use his superior experience to get the job done.
The American turned professional in 2016 and raced to 23-0 before losing for the first time.
Gervonta Davis handed him his first defeat and by stoppage in April 2023, but Garcia responded by beating Oscar Duarte in December that year to win the WBA Gold super lightweight title.
"King Ry" then took on Devin Haney in April 2024, but, having missed weight, he was unable to win the WBC super lightweight title.
Garcia won via majority decision, but after failing a post-fight drug test, the bout was ruled a no contest.
After a year out of the ring, Garcia returned in May 2025 and lost to Rolando Romero on points when challenging for the vacant WBA (Regular) welterweight title.
He finally lived up to his potential to outclass Barrios last time out, but Benn clearly thinks there are chinks in the armour.
"The Destroyer" has only ever lost one fight as a professional and like Garcia, he turned professional in 2016. Benn made light work of his first 23 opponents, although the level of opposition can be questioned.
Wins over Samuel Vargas, Sebastian Formella, Chris Algieri and Chris van Heerden helped raise his profile and defend his WBA Continental (Europe) welterweight title, but it was his move up in weight to face Chris Eubank Jr. in April 2025 that put him on the map.
Benn lost on points to his rival, but his stock rose after a 12-round war. He got revenge in November last year, before outclassing former world champion Regis Prograis in April.
Ryan Garcia v Conor Benn Tale of the Tape
Ryan Garcia | Conor Benn | |
Record: | 25-2 | 25-1 |
Age: | 28 | 29 |
Birthplace: | Victorville, California | Greenwich, London |
Height: | 5' 8½" | 5' 8" |
Stance: | Orthodox | Orthodox |
Last Fight: | Won (UD) Mario Barrios (February 2026) | Won (UD) Regis Prograis (April 2026) |
KO%: | 80.0 | 56.00 |
Alias: | King Ry | The Destroyer |
Ryan Garcia v Conor Benn Top Tips
Ryan Garcia to win by KO, TKO or DQ @ 21/20
Round Group Betting - Ryan Garcia to win inside rounds 7-12 @ 11/4
Benn has already documented how hard he finds making the welterweight limit and he looked sluggish against Prograis. Worryingly for him, that bout was at a catchweight 3lb above his weigh-in for this fight.
Prograis was injured in that fight and is way past his best, but Benn barely hurt him and his inability to land power shots is a worry ahead of this fight against Garcia.
For Benn to have any chance of winning, he has to go all out early on and unsettle Garcia's rhythm. The American has shown at times that he can switch off, but when he's at his best, he uses his elite hand speed and reach.
Benn is likely to force the pace as the away fighter and he wants to make this a scrap. Once he tires, which he will due to the weight issues, he should walk on to too many shots from the home favourite.
Garcia has looked vulnerable in the past and will not take too many risks, so if he sticks to his game plan, Benn should be there for the taking in the second half of the fight.
Experience at the top level is crucial in these fights and Garcia has shared the ring with some of the best in the division. Benn has never beaten a world-level welterweight and that should not change in Las Vegas this weekend.
All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
