“Bro…you get Fd up! 👹🇬🇧”
Ryan took issue with Benn’s use of the devil emoji and fired back with a message rooted in his increasingly visible Christian beliefs.
“You messed up with the devil emoji fam ima remind you not to use a demon on me after you cold LOOK 🤫,” Ryan said on X.
The exchange comes as Ryan and Benn continue to be linked to a potential September showdown in Las Vegas.
While devil emojis are commonly used in combat sports to convey aggression or intimidation, Ryan interpreted Benn’s post in a way that reflected the faith he has openly discussed in recent years.
The former WBC welterweight champion has repeatedly spoken in interviews and on social media about faith, redemption and spiritual warfare. Ryan has often referred to God when discussing both his personal struggles and his career ambitions, leading some fans to embrace what they call his “Fear the Lord” mindset.
To Ryan, Benn’s use of the devil emoji wasn’t just ordinary trash talk.
Boxing has seen several fighters openly discuss the role faith has played in their lives and careers. George Foreman became a minister after retiring, before eventually returning to win back the heavyweight title. Manny Pacquiao has often spoken about Christianity, while Tyson Fury has credited his faith with helping him through personal struggles outside the ring.
Ryan didn’t treat Benn’s post as ordinary trash talk.
As Ryan became more vocal about his beliefs, he viewed Benn’s use of the devil emoji differently than many fighters might. Instead of simply talking about the fight, Ryan suggested that Benn took the wrong side.
If Ryan and Benn finally meet in the ring, their rivalry may involve more than the usual exchanges over titles, money and national pride.
Ryan has already made it clear how he sees it.
“You messed up with the devil emoji fam ima remind you not to use a demon on me after you cold LOOK 🤫,” Ryan wrote.
