Super Showdown: Garcia vs Benn Preview and Prediction

Two of the most exciting, controversial and popular pugilists on the planet collide as Ryan Garcia defends his WBC welterweight title against Conor Benn at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday night (Sunday morning SA time), writes Quintin van Jaarsveld.

Ryan Garcia (1.34) vs Conor Benn (3.40) (WBC Welterweight Championship)

2 AM Sunday SA time

In February, at the very same T-Mobile Arena, Garcia achieved his destiny when he outboxed Mario Barrios to become the welterweight champion of the world.

From the start of his pro career, Garcia was considered a future champion. A highly gifted boxer, as well as a social media sensation with model-like looks, Garcia rose to become a superstar who transcends the sweet science. However, what seemed inevitable – him seizing gold – started to slip away as personal demons and a failed drug test derailed his career.

His epic majority decision win over Devin Haney in 2024 was overturned to a no-contest when he tested positive for the banned substance Ostarine the day before the fight in a VADA drug test.

His comeback fight following his ban didn’t go as planned either, as he was knocked down and dropped a unanimous decision to Rolly Romero last May. While it was just the second loss of his career, the boxing world wondered if he’d lost his magic.

Gifted a title shot despite the Romero loss, Garcia was fighting for more than the gold – he was fighting to save his career. On the night of 21 February, “King Ryan” returned to form and enjoyed his crowning moment, besting Barrios by decision for the sweetest of redemption and setting himself up for mega-money fights with the likes of Benn, Haney and Gervonta Davis.

First on the list for a Mexican Independence Day weekend blockbuster is one of the most-talked-about names in all of boxing, a man who mirrors Garcia in many ways and has walked a similar road as the Mexican-American. He, too, is 28, ultra-gifted, good-looking, and controversial.

Although the Brit wasn’t banned outright like Garcia, he was placed under provisional suspension after popping for the banned fertility drug Clomifene in 2022 before his planned fight with Chris Eubank Jr. The independent National Anti-Doping Panel lifted the suspension in November 2024 after ruling that UK Anti-Doping did not prove its case.

The much-anticipated fight with Eubank Jr finally materialised last April and was well worth the wait. Reigniting an intense 35-year feud between families, the pair followed in their fathers’ footsteps and put on a classic.

What started as a sons-of-legends grudge match exploded into a war that captivated fans around the world. Both men stood toe-to-toe in a ferocious display of heart and skill, trading moments of brilliance until Eubank Jr ultimately emerged victorious by unanimous decision.

It was the first loss of Benn’s 24-fight pro career, but as losses go, it was the best possible kind for Benn as he was widely praised for his heart as the smaller man and set up an ever bigger sequel in November, which Benn won on all three judges’ scorecards, elevating him to superstardom. 

“The Destroyer” shocked the boxing world again in February when he dropped his long-time promoter Eddie Hearn and signed with Dana White’s Zuffa Boxing. His first outing as a Zuffa fighter was a successful one as he defeated former two-time super lightweight champion Regis Prograis in April.

The fight, which saw him improve his record to 25-1 (14 knockouts), was contested at a catchweight of 150 pounds. The Eubank Jr series was fought at 160 pounds, so one of the big added factors going into this weekend’s blockbuster is just how gruelling the cut down to 147 will be for Benn.

He dispatched South Africa’s Chris van Heerden in two rounds in his last welterweight bout, but that was four years ago, so it remains to be seen how draining the weight cut will be.

Things between Garcia and Benn have gone from 0 to 100 in a hurry. They do not like each other and can’t wait to go to war, ramping up the anticipation for the fight that much more.

Garcia, who heads into his first title defence with a record of 25-2-1NC (20 knockouts), has far more elite-level experience and is the taller and rangier fighter.

His hand speed, speed and slickness of movement, distance management, and counter-punching all point to Garcia getting it done. Benn will be game and aggressive, but he’s not quite on the champion’s level.

He showed against Eubank Jr that he can take heavy shots, so what should be an entertaining encounter will likely go the full 12 rounds.

Prediction: Garcia by decision.

Best Bet: Garcia by decision at 2.61.