Ryan Garcia to defend WBC welterweight title against Conor Benn in Las Vegas

Ryan Garcia is set to defend his WBC welterweight title against Conor Benn this Saturday at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The high-stakes bout, which carries a combined estimated purse of $30 million, has been marked by significant tension and theatricality during fight week.

During the final press conference, Garcia engaged in performative antics, including eating a boiled egg as a reference to Benn’s past controversy regarding egg consumption and clomifene testing. Teofimo Lopez also disrupted the event by appearing in a fake beard and sunglasses to pose as a reporter before revealing his identity.

A major point of contention involves the weight cut. Benn, who has not competed at the 147-pound welterweight limit since 2022, has described the process as brutal. Garcia has requested that the Nevada State Athletic Commission mandate the use of 8-ounce gloves if Benn misses the weight limit, arguing that smaller gloves would exploit any physical vulnerability caused by a difficult weight cut.

Both fighters enter the ring following individual career setbacks involving doping suspensions. Garcia is seeking to solidify his status as a legitimate champion, while Benn aims to secure his first world title after years of competing in higher weight classes.