Ryan Garcia has labeled Conor Benn as merely an “average fighter,” expressing his belief that the British boxer does not merit a chance to compete for his WBC welterweight title. The 28-year-old American is set to defend his belt against Benn at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas this Saturday.
Throughout the lead-up to the fight, Garcia has repeatedly downplayed Benn’s skills and even skipped the scheduled face-off on Tuesday, leading some to accuse him of underestimating his opponent. However, Garcia insists he is taking the match seriously as he pursues his 26th victory in 29 professional fights.
When asked if Benn, who hasn’t fought at welterweight since April 2022, deserves a world title shot, Garcia responded bluntly, “Not at all.” Speaking to BBC Sport, he said, “He’s an average fighter — athletic, yes, but it’s largely because of his name that he’s here. This isn’t a diss; it’s just the honest truth.”
Garcia emphasized his rigorous preparation, stating, “I’m training like he’s the best fighter on the planet. Success comes down to how prepared and sharp you are.” He rejected the claim that he’s underestimating Benn, saying, “I’m just being honest. I’m not going to pretend he’s on Floyd Mayweather’s level — because he definitely isn’t.”
Describing Benn’s fighting style, Garcia noted, “He’s aggressive, throws looping overhands, and moves forward constantly, which will make for a tough fight, but I’ve seen plenty like him before.”
While both fighters have shared glimpses of their training on social media, their approaches differ significantly. Benn has posted straightforward clips of his workouts, whereas Garcia has been seen engaging with social media influencers and making appearances in WWE events.
Garcia also expressed his personal views of Benn off the ring, saying, “He’s not really my type of person. I wouldn’t hang out with him much.” He accused Benn of being a hypocrite who contradicts himself. “I’m goofy and outgoing, having fun and joking around. Benn tries to present himself as humble but is always flaunting luxury cars and the spotlight,” Garcia added. “He thinks I’m like that too, but my focus is 100% on my craft.”
Fan Take: This fight highlights a clash not just of styles but of personalities, which always amps up the excitement for fight fans. Garcia’s confidence and dismissive attitude could either fuel a dominant title defense or set the stage for a major upset that shakes up the welterweight division.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
