Conor Benn and Ryan Garcia reignited their bitter rivalry during a chaotic final press conference in Las Vegas on Thursday, with the pair exchanging heated insults ahead of their world title showdown. The confrontation took an unexpected turn when WBA 'Super' welterweight champion Teofimo Lopez infiltrated the event wearing a fake beard and posing as a reporter named 'Jack Hoffman' before revealing his identity to the crowd.
The press conference, held at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on September 10, 2026, saw Garcia (25-2, 20 KOs) and Benn (25-1, 14 KOs) come face-to-face for the first time during fight week after the American fighter had been a no-show for Wednesday's scheduled face-off. The event was run by Dana White, with the two fighters sitting across from one another as tensions boiled over.
Garcia, the WBC welterweight champion defending his title for the first time since claiming the belt against Mario Barrios in February, dominated the verbal exchanges with a relentless barrage of insults directed at the British challenger. Benn, meanwhile, remained relatively composed, choosing to let his record speak for itself as he prepares for the biggest test of his career.
The 29-year-old Benn has built momentum with back-to-back impressive victories, including an April win over Regis Prograis and a revenge triumph over Chris Eubank Jr. However, he faces a significant weight cut for Saturday's bout, having previously fought Eubank Jr twice at middleweight. His last welterweight contest came against Chris van Heerden in April 2022 at the 10st 7lb limit.
Just don't cuddle me in here. I didn't come all the way to America for you to cuddle, Benn declared during the press conference, setting the tone for his no-nonsense approach to the fight.
Garcia seized on the weight-cut issue, repeatedly questioning whether Benn would make weight on Friday's scales.
I know you're not on weight, because I can see it in your eyes. You ain't on weight. Hey, you're going to hit that bathtub tonight, or the bike, Garcia taunted his opponent.
The American fighter also took aim at Benn's father, Nigel Benn, who had made knockout predictions ahead of the bout.
I heard his dad talking like he was gonna knock me out. Bet he won't. Bet he won't. We can bet whatever too. Your son ain't gonna knock me out. He couldn't even knock out Regis. Your dad ain't right. Your dad lying to you. I hope you know that. Dad lying to you, Garcia said.
Garcia also responded to Benn's comments about his Mexican heritage, making a pointed reference to the violence he intends to inflict inside the ring.
Come Saturday night when his blood is spilling out his mouth, that will be enough to show him how Mexican I am, he declared.
Benn's response was measured and dismissive, refusing to engage with Garcia's provocations.
He seems to have enough problems as it is. I don't look at him, I just worry about myself and don't cut corners. We'll see who makes weight tomorrow, the challenger said.
During their face-off, Garcia continued his verbal assault, but Benn simply raised his finger to his lips in a silencing gesture before exiting the stage, demonstrating his determination to stay focused on the task ahead rather than be drawn into further exchanges.
Both fighters carry baggage from previous controversies. Garcia tested positive for the banned substance ostarine in 2024, while Benn's provisional anti-doping suspension for two failed drugs tests in 2022 was lifted during the same year. These issues have added an extra layer of tension to their rivalry.
Garcia expressed confidence in his preparation and his ability to handle whatever Benn brings to the ring.
He's going to try real hard, we know that. He's probably going to have to try to resort to some dirty tactics, so we'll be prepared for that. And we're just going to do what we do best, which is stay sharp, be ready for everything, and we're prepared, man. We're conditioned 100 percent, and we'll put on a hell of a show, I promise you that, the champion said.
Benn, by contrast, focused on his own strengths and experience at the highest level of the sport.
I'm not concerned. I don't focus on him and what he does, I focus on what I do. I bring tenacity, ferocity, spite, experience. I've been here before, I've fought in front of 70,000 three times now, on the bounce. So you know I'm here to come and really set the tone from the first round, he stated.
The bizarre nature of the press conference was underscored by Lopez's surprise appearance in disguise, which provided an unexpected moment of levity amid the heated exchanges. The WBA champion's intervention highlighted the high-profile nature of the event and the attention it has garnered across the boxing world.
The fight card also features co-headliners Jai Opetaia and Noel Mikaelian, with the event being billed as a Ring Magazine show co-promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and Zuffa Boxing. The matchup will stream globally on Paramount+ and exclusively on DAZN in the UK and Ireland, making it accessible to fans across multiple territories.
What happens next
The main event is scheduled for Saturday, September 12, 2026, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The main card is set to begin at 8 p.m. ET on Paramount+, with the weigh-ins taking place on Friday to determine whether both fighters will make their contracted weights. Garcia will be looking to make a successful first defence of his WBC welterweight title, while Benn seeks to claim his first world championship in what represents the biggest opportunity of his career.
