Las Vegas to host WBC welterweight title fight between Ryan Garcia and Conor Benn on September 12
WBC Welterweight Title Bout Confirmed
Ryan Garcia is set to defend his WBC welterweight title against Conor Benn in Las Vegas on September 12. The fight will take place at T-Mobile Arena, as announced by Zuffa Boxing president Dana White. This marks Benn’s first world title fight in his professional career.
Garcia, who is one of the sport’s prominent fighters, secured the WBC belt in February by defeating Mario Barrios via points decision. He previously knocked down Barrios in the first round of that fight at T-Mobile Arena. Garcia’s upcoming defense against Benn will be his third time headlining a card in Las Vegas, having previously fought Gervonta Davis in 2023 at the same venue.
Benn, a British fighter, will travel to the United States for this challenge. He is the son of former British boxing figure Nigel Benn. Benn has been engaged in verbal exchanges with Garcia in recent months, leading up to this official announcement.
Benn’s Path to Welterweight
Conor Benn’s journey to this title shot has included recent fights at higher weight classes. Last year, he competed at middleweight to address a rivalry with Chris Eubank Jr., the son of his father’s past opponent, Chris Eubank Sr. Benn experienced his first professional defeat against Eubank Jr. in their initial encounter at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
However, Benn secured a victory in a rematch against Eubank Jr. in November, dropping him twice before winning by decision. Following these middleweight bouts, Benn returned closer to the welterweight division, defeating Regis Prograis in April at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. This fight against Prograis took place at 150 pounds, while Benn has not competed at the welterweight championship limit of 147 pounds since 2022.
Benn has expressed his ambition to win a world title, aiming to emulate his father’s achievement of holding the WBC belt. He stated that his work has become more focused and purposeful as he pursues this goal. Garcia, in response to the fight announcement, commented, “This one is for Mexico and the UK. Both want his a** clipped. Clout demon will be slayed.”
Significance of the Fight Weekend
The fight is scheduled for Mexican Independence Day weekend, a period traditionally associated with significant boxing events in Las Vegas. This weekend has often featured prominent Mexican boxer Canelo Alvarez. However, Alvarez is scheduled to fight in Saudi Arabia in October, leaving this particular weekend for Garcia’s title defense.
Garcia, a native of Victorville, California, is promoted by Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions. His bout with Benn is one of two welterweight title fights scheduled locally within a three-week period, with Rolando Romero’s defense against Teofimo Lopez also booked for T-Mobile Arena on August 22. Romero had previously claimed an interim title version last May with a decision victory over Garcia in New York.
Alvarez’s past Mexican Independence Day weekend headlining bouts in Las Vegas include matches against Edgar Berlanga in 2024, Gennady Golovkin in 2022, 2018, and 2017, and Floyd Mayweather in 2013. This year, Alvarez is due to fight Christian Mbilli for the WBC super middleweight title, though a date for that matchup, originally set for September 12 in Saudi Arabia, has not been finalized.
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Source: skysports.com
