Conor Benn faces Ryan Garcia for WBC welterweight title in Las Vegas

Figures from the boxing world give their predictions for Saturday's WBC welterweight world title fight between Ryan Garcia and Briton Conor Benn.

Figures from the boxing world give their predictions for Saturday's WBC welterweight world title fight between Ryan Garcia and Briton Conor Benn.

Conor Benn and Ryan Garcia both comfortably make the welterweight limit for their WBC title fight despite concerns at how they would fare on the scales.

Conor Benn says making the welterweight limit for his world-title challenge against Ryan Garcia has felt like being "dragged down to the pits of hell" but insists he is healthy and will make weight.

Conor Benn says making the welterweight limit for his world-title challenge against Ryan Garcia has felt like being "dragged down to the pits of hell" but insists he is healthy and will make weight.

Conor Benn says making the welterweight limit for his world-title challenge against Ryan Garcia has felt like being "dragged down to the pits of hell" but insists he is healthy and will make weight.

Conor Benn looks forward to this chance at becoming a world champion and achieving his childhood dream.

Conor Benn spends some time talking about his upcoming shot at a welterweight title this weekend when he takes on Ryan Garcia in Las Vegas. Benn, who will be fighting at 147 for the first time in several years, admits here that this will be his last time fighting at the weight after acknowledging how difficult it’s been in training camp to whittle all the way back down to this fighting limit. That said, Benn says he started his career at 147 and it’s a blessing for him to be able to get the chance to win a world welterweight title. Benn on what he’s expecting from Garcia “He’s going to be himself. He can come however he wants, it makes no difference to me on my approach.” On if he’s satisfied with the drug testing that was done for this fight “It’s not even crossed my mind at all. I know we’re both diligently tested and that’s what’s important. But I honestly don’t even think about him, not even a thought in my head how he turns up, what his mental state is, whether he’s tested or not. It makes no difference, I’m still going to do what I got to do, prepare as hard as I prepare, and focus on getting the victory.” On the weight cut “I’m alright, I’m good.” On why he plans to go all the back up to 160 after this fight “Because the weight cut is that hard…I feel extremely strong at 160 and I feel like that’s the home for Conor Benn when this fight is said and done. 147 — this camp feels like I got dragged down to hell, had a fight with Satan, and come back to life. That’s how I feel.”

Ryan Garcia says everything is clicking as he prepares to defend his WBC welterweight title this weekend.

Ryan Garcia just recently joined Piers Morgan to discuss his upcoming title defense against Conor Benn this weekend and a whole lot more. Looking ahead to the fight itself, Garcia explains why Benn is in over his head in this fight, and also touches on his upbringing, personal troubles, and coming through to become a world champion and being in a great place in his life. Check out some of what he had to say below with the full video interview in the link at the bottom. Garcia on the recent past where he appeared to be spiraling in his personal life “I think back then it may look like everything was good and dandy but in reality a lot of people never given me credit for what I’ve done in the sport. So, I don’t really think that’s really the right perspective at the time, of how people viewed me, but I would say the amount of pressure and everything I’ve had to deal with since I started boxing I think came to a boiling point and I was pretty frustrated and had a lot of anger was built up. I think it came with a lot of struggles, drinking, mental health issues. But that’s just the story of 2024. “It takes a lot of inner reflection to understand what really went down and to do just find that balance again, and I did that and I captured a world title shortly after that. So, it’s just a learning experience and don’t let anything slow you down from moving forward.” On the difference between Benn and himself “Here’s the thing, there’s people that are original and I’m an original person. He’s obviously taking things from so many different quotes and people that it’s kind of just fabricated. I’ve done this. I’ve been boxing since I was seven years old, I’ve captured 15 national titles, I’ve fought way more professional fights. There’s no way you would get to this point without hard work. “At the end of the day…his dad is the only reason he’s at this point in his career. So I’m really getting paid a bunch of money to beat up a beginner. This dude is not on my level, he’s a jokester, and he’s banking that supposedly I don’t work hard, which everybody says. It’s kind of boring at this point, the narrative is just — bro, come up with something else.” On having the edge over Benn who’s coming back to 147 “He only went up to 160 to fight Chris Eubank so he’s really a 147 pounder. He’s just looking to make excuses already because he knows what’s going to happen.” On his feelings about Terence Crawford “I despise him…He’s a little bit of a hater. He doesn’t like my success. He hate-watches my fights, him and his little crew, Shakur — they don’t like how successful I am, they don’t think I deserve it or whatever they think. But they definitely watch with hate and if they dish it out they should be able to take it. “If he ever wants to come back and fight, let’s do it. We can talk all we want but I just feel like he’s retired, he should shut the hell up. Why are you talking if you’re retired?…Leave us alone unless you want to fight. If not, shut up.” On expecting a KO of Benn “I am extremely confident. The preparation is what makes me so confident. I prepared amazingly and I’m just better at the game than him, and that’s just simple. He’s going to be game, can’t deny that, he’s going to be coming at me nonstop, but I’m just a little bit more skillful than him and now I’m super conditioned so he’s going to have a bad night. “This won’t go past five. It’ll be five and below, is what I’m calling.”

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - JULY 27: WBC Welterweight World Champion Ryan Garcia in attendance during Monday Night RAW at Intuit Dome on July 27, 2026 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Craig Ambrosio/WWE via Getty Images) With Ryan Garcia set to defend his welterweight title against Conor Benn this weekend, he sits down with ESPN to share some of his final thoughts on his career arc and the matchup at hand as he looks to continue his journey in the sport. Here are some excerpts of what Garcia had to say with the full video interview in the link below. On the narrative that he’ll beat Benn so long as he’s focused “I see it as a bit unfair. I’ve had two fights where it didn’t go my way but you’ve seen the full body of work. All the fights I’ve been in have been entertaining, have been exciting, have been great, and certain circumstances I would like to see certain people go into a fight the way I had to during certain circumstances and see how good they are mentally. “This is a marathon and I had to learn from a couple of experiences that aren’t normal to go through but you learn from there and now I’m in a great space and I’m a champion. So, it’s much different now.” On his career coming full circle “A lot of people had a lot of expectations for me as I was coming up: ESPN prospect of the year, many other things as I was coming up, a lot of expectations. People kind of figured I would get here but everything worked out the way it should be. A lot of character development, a lot of learning experiences from attention to being a professional in your sport. “For me, it’s like you got to learn it all on your own and I’m at that place where everything came together. It just so happened to be…There’s not going to be anything that’s really going to throw it off at this moment. The training’s been done, everything’s been done. You’re just doing to see an A+ performance, that’s all you’re going to see. “I’m just going to continue following the path I’m on right now, make the necessary adjustments, evolve so that my next fight I stay the same and even get better.” On what he respects most about Benn “He has a lot of heart in taking on tough challenges and pushing himself. I definitely respect that and his attitude. I think he has a good attitude towards the game and wants to excite the fans and that’s important for the sport.” On Benn’s confidence heading into the fight “I don’t care how confident he is or if he’s not. I don’t really put too much mind into that. You can be happy, you can be confident, your body has a breaking point, your mind has a breaking point. Skills, experience pays dividends in the ring. All that goes out the window when the fights starts because you’ve got to do it now. I can be super confident in playing a video game I’ve never played before but them I’m playing a guy that knows how to play it — I’m going to lose, I don’t care if I believe in it or not.” On seeking a KO of Benn “I’m here to make a statement. I’ve not been shy about that. I’ve said five rounds and below. That means I’m coming with mean intentions and I’m not here to dance my way to a decision, but I’m also not here to be stupid, at the end of the day. But would it be amazing? Yes.”

Ryan Garcia says everything is coming together for him to put on a spectacular performance against Conor Benn.

Exclusive interview: Benn will challenge the American star for the WBC welterweight title on Saturday