Ryan Garcia-Conor Benn WBC welterweight showdown all set

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

What a year it has been for the sweet science.

After a series of blockbuster boxing fights in just the first seven months of the calendar year, another highly anticipated showdown is set to take place on Sept. 12, 2026.

In an announcement made by Zuffa Boxing owners Dana White and Turki Alalshikh, Golden Boy Promotions’ top dog Ryan Garcia is set to defend his World Boxing Council welterweight belt against British challenger Conor Benn at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

The championship clash is scheduled for the weekend commemorating Mexican Independence Day, officially ending a wild social media back-and-forth between the two pugilists.

“You talk too much,” Benn posted on his official X account.

“I told you in person, you aren’t a good enough fighter to beat me,” Garcia replied.

The bad blood between the two boxing stars started in April when Benn called out Garcia after defeating former world champion Regis Prograis.

A month after the callout, Garcia said that he wanted to fight Benn next during an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.

The beef can now be squashed after Zuffa Boxing’s White and Alalshikh materialized Benn’s dream fight. Benn signed with their promotion in mid-February 2026.

Garcia is coming off a dominant unanimous decision win over Mario Barrios, in which he bagged the WBC welterweight crown.

With the lopsided victory, Garcia is no longer the “Uncrowned King” after waiting nearly 10 years to clinch an official major belt since turning professional.

Garcia smelled blood early in the first round after stunning the Las Vegas crowd with a quick knockdown, dropping Barrios with a precise overhand right in the first 30 seconds of the opener.

Barrios never dictated the pace throughout the fight. For 12 straight rounds, Garcia came in hotter as the match progressed, showcasing his improved arsenal by unleashing his new weapon — the right hand.

Not known for his sharp and accurate right punches, Garcia left a mark on the boxing world after decimating Barrios with his off hand, including the overhand punch that knocked him down in the first round.

On the other hand, Benn is also fresh off a win over Prograis in an absolute slugfest at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London in April 2026.

Despite Prograis taking the first few rounds, Benn stepped it up in the championship frames, stepping on the gas pedal to earn the convincing 98-92 decision win.

Can Garcia solve the Benn puzzle? Or will the British boxer maintain his momentum and pull off the most notable professional win of his career?