Conor Benn criticized Ryan Garcia as a “bottler” after the American fighter failed to show up for a scheduled media face-off at the Mandalay Bay Hotel in Las Vegas, according to Sky Sports. The absence occurred ahead of their upcoming WBC welterweight title showdown.
Conor Benn Brands Ryan Garcia a Bottler After Las Vegas No-Show
According to Sky Sports, Conor Benn was the only fighter to appear at Tuesday’s media event in Las Vegas. Joined by his father, Nigel, the 29-year-old British challenger jokingly squared up to his dad when Garcia was absent. Nigel Benn mocked the absent champion, telling his son, “I’m not Ryan, I turn up!”
Benn will challenge for a world title for the first time in his career on Saturday night at the T-Mobile Arena, hoping to match the achievements of his father, who won the WBO middleweight title in 1990 and the WBC super-middleweight title in 1992, as reported by Sky Sports. “I apologise for Ryan doing what Ryan does and bottling it,” Benn said on Tuesday, according to Sky Sports. “We turn up, we’re here, ready for the face-off. He needs to get his s*** together because come Saturday, he’s in for a real, real shock.”
Recent Form and Path to the WBC Welterweight Title Fight
Benn enters this matchup following successive victories, according to Sky Sports. He exacted revenge on Chris Eubank Jr. in November 2025 after suffering the first professional defeat of his career against his rival in April of that year. He then outscored Regis Prograis at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in April 2026 to extend his fight record to 25-1.
Garcia represents a step up in opponent, having secured his WBC welterweight belt following a dominant unanimous victory against Mario Barrios in February, according to Sky Sports. The Daily Mail noted that Garcia’s road to the title included a majority-decision victory over Devin Haney in 2024—which was later changed to a no-contest after Garcia tested positive for ostarine—followed by a points defeat to Rolando Romero in May 2025 after serving a year’s suspension.
Build-Up and Past Press Conference Altercations
The rivalry between the two fighters has featured physical confrontations prior to the Las Vegas fight week. According to the Daily Mail, an opening press conference in New York City at Fanatics Fest descended into chaos when both fighters had to be separated by Zuffa Boxing chief Dana White and security after making a beeline for each other.
“I know you’re getting all excited, but I’ll come over there and smack those glasses straight off your face,” Benn said during the New York press event, as reported by the Daily Mail. “You won’t do s*** I promise you,” Garcia replied before a stage melee erupted. Despite the tension, Benn stated he welcomes the underdog tag for Saturday night. “I like being the underdog,” Benn said, according to Sky Sports. “I think every single one of my fights has led me to this moment.”
Did you know? Conor Benn spent close to three years in boxing wilderness following a positive drug test for clomifene ahead of a scheduled 2022 bout against Chris Eubank Jr., before his suspension was ultimately lifted in 2024 through legal proceedings, according to reporting by the Daily Mail.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Conor Benn vs. Ryan Garcia fight?
The fight is scheduled for Saturday night at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, according to Sky Sports.
What titles are on the line?
Ryan Garcia is set to make the first defence of his title against challenger Conor Benn, as reported by Sky Sports.
What happened at the pre-fight media events?
Conor Benn attended a media face-off alone at the Mandalay Bay Hotel in Las Vegas after Ryan Garcia failed to show up, leading Benn to brand his opponent a “bottler,” according to Sky Sports. Earlier in the build-up, the fighters also had to be separated by security and Dana White at a press conference in New York, according to the Daily Mail.
Join the Conversation
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