Garcia claimed Benn confronted and grabbed him at an awards show years before the September 12 welterweight title fight was finalized
Ryan Garcia says his September 12 welterweight title fight against Conor Benn became personal long before the contracts were signed. Garcia claimed Benn confronted him at an awards show two years ago in front of his wife and said the incident still fuels his motivation heading into the Las Vegas showdown.
“He’s talking a lot. He’s talking crazy.
“He actually confronted me at an awards show two years ago. And my wife was there, and he just pressed up on me, grabbed me.
“So it’s a little personal, so we’ll be ready to go get him, trust me, guys. Show him how it’s done,” Ryan said about him being a guest on Monday night on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. He officially announced his welterweight title defense against Benn in Las Vegas.
Garcia (25-2, 20 KOs) confirmed the fight will take place September 12 and hinted at the matchup before revealing Benn’s name during the interview. Jimmy Fallon initially looked confused when Ryan described the opponent as being “from the other side” before clarifying that Benn was “across the pond.”
The fight will match two of boxing’s biggest personalities at welterweight and could land at T-Mobile Arena during Mexican Independence Day weekend. Garcia captured the WBC welterweight title in February with a unanimous decision win over Mario Barrios after dropping him in the opening round.
Here we go 🥊🥊🥊🥊 pic.twitter.com/3ItChWX1Hw
— RYAN GARCIA (@RyanGarcia) May 19, 2026
Benn (25-1, 14 KOs) is coming off a unanimous decision victory over Regis Prograis on April 26. The son of former world champion Nigel Benn recently signed a multi-fight extension with Zuffa Boxing, creating an unusual crossover promotion between Dana White and Oscar De La Hoya for one of the biggest fights of the fall.
Ryan made it clear on Fallon that he believes the fight has already crossed into personal territory. Benn may have wanted attention when he confronted Garcia two years ago. He got the fight instead.
