LAS VEGAS — Boxer Ryan Garcia did not attend the first scheduled face-off with Conor Benn on Tuesday, leaving his opponent to appear alone at the event ahead of their WBC welterweight title fight. The absence occurred as the two fighters prepare for a bout set for Saturday, September 12, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Sport, the official record of the event states that Garcia was scheduled to attend a photo opportunity but skipped it. Conor Benn attended the face-off alone after Garcia's absence, while Nigel Benn accompanied his son and pretended to face off with him in place of the missing challenger.

Benn addressed the situation directly following the missed appearance. "I apologise for Ryan doing what Ryan does and bottling it," Benn said. "We turn up, we're here, ready for the face-off. Come Saturday, he's in for a war."

Garcia responded to the incident via social media, posting a message on Instagram that mocked Benn's attendance. "Nice relaxing time as Conor wastes time showing up to a face-off," Garcia wrote. "Back to the sauna you go, sausage getting cooked every way." This comment followed a video in which Garcia appeared with UFC personality Nina Drama eating a burger before the fight.

Regarding the video, Garcia said, "I know you can't do this Conor Benn. You can't eat like I could eat."

The upcoming bout marks a milestone for both fighters. Ryan Garcia defends his WBC welterweight title, which he won in February with a unanimous decision victory over Mario Barrios. This is Conor Benn's first world championship bout.

Garcia is 28 years old and holds a professional boxing record of 25 wins, two defeats, and one no-contest. Benn is 29 years old.

Benn has not fought at 10st 7lb (67kg) since 2022. He fought Chris Eubank Jr twice at middleweight and fought Regis Prograis at a 10st 12lb (69kg) catchweight in April. Benn lost to Chris Eubank Jr in April 2025.

He was suspended from boxing in 2023 for failing two voluntary drugs tests. His ban was lifted by the National Anti-Doping Panel, though he remained suspended by the UK Anti-Doping Agency. During his suspension from UK boxing, Benn fought Rodolfo Orozco and Peter Dobson in the United States.

Promotional disputes have also arisen surrounding the event's undercard. Jai Opetaia is fighting Noel Mikaelian in a cruiserweight bout on the undercard, and Mikaelian is the WBC cruiserweight champion. American boxing promoter Don King sent a cease-and-desist letter to Zuffa Boxing demanding the cancellation of the Opetaia-Mikaelian fight, claiming he has an exclusive deal with Mikaelian.

Dana White confirmed Zuffa Boxing received the legal letter from King. "[Jai's] fighting this weekend. I've always had good dealings with Don (King). When have you ever seen a scenario with us where we go and try to interfere with someone's contract? We don't do it," White said.

A news conference for the Garcia-Benn fight is scheduled for Thursday, and the weigh-in is scheduled for Friday. Ringwalks for the Garcia-Benn fight are expected at approximately 04:00 BST on Sunday, September 13.

Timeline

Conor Benn has not fought at 10st 7lb (67kg) since 2022. Ryan Garcia lost to Gervonta Davis by stoppage in the seventh round in 2023. Conor Benn was suspended from boxing in 2023 for failing two voluntary drugs tests.

Ryan Garcia defeated Devin Haney by knockout in 2024, but the result was overturned to a no-contest after Garcia tested positive for a banned substance. Ryan Garcia missed weight for his light-welterweight contest against Devin Haney in 2024. Ryan Garcia received a one-year suspension from boxing after failing a drugs test in 2024. Ryan Garcia was expelled by the World Boxing Commission in July 2024 for making discriminatory remarks.

What's New

Later reporting confirms that the fight between Ryan Garcia and Conor Benn is scheduled for Saturday, September 12. Ryan Garcia said regarding the burger video, "I know you can't do this Conor Benn. You can't eat like I could eat." Additional details indicate that Conor Benn lost to Chris Eubank Jr in April 2025.

Ryan Garcia has a professional boxing record of 25 wins, two defeats, and one no-contest. Ryan Garcia won the WBC welterweight title in February with a unanimous decision victory over Mario Barrios.

Why It Matters

The confrontation shows the tensions leading into a major world championship bout, with Garcia defending his WBC welterweight title against Benn, who is seeking his first world title. The missed face-off and subsequent verbal exchanges add a layer of unpredictability to the promotional cycle. The event also draws attention to the fighters' histories, including Garcia's previous suspension and weight issues, and Benn's return to the welterweight division after competing at middleweight.