Ryan Garcia says his September 12 fight against Conor Benn got personal long before the contracts were signed.
“He talks a lot, he talks crazy.
“He actually confronted me two years ago at an awards show and my wife was there, and he just pushed 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 Monday night as a guest 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 on September 12 and hinted at the bout before revealing Benn’s name during the interview. Jimmy Fallon initially seemed confused when Ryan described the opponent as “from the other side” before explaining that Benn was “across the pond”.
The fight will match two of boxing’s biggest personalities at welterweight and could land at the T-Mobile Arena during Mexican Independence Day weekend. Garcia captured the WBC welterweight title in February with a unanimous decision victory 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 win over Regis Prograis on April 26th. The son of former world champion Nigel Benn recently signed a multi-fight extension with Zuffa Boxingcreating 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 to 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.
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Last updated on 2026/05/19 at 06:52
