Conor Benn vs. Ryan Garcia | DAZN - 12 September 2026
Re: Conor Benn vs. Ryan Garcia | DAZN - 12 September 2026
There shouldn't have been a fight 2 between them - I thought Eubank won fight one decisively enough. So I think also a fight 3 will sell - Eubank will need some kind of win and Benn loosing to Garcia might make people think that he also "is not the same fighter".
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SeanBrennan
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Re: Conor Benn vs. Ryan Garcia | DAZN - 12 September 2026
My thoughts entirely Garcia should win handily imo but he’s hardly been stable in or outside the ring
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Ruthless-RKO
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Re: Conor Benn vs. Ryan Garcia | DAZN - 12 September 2026
Don King issues cease-and-desist letter to Zuffa over Noel Mikaelian-Jai Opetaia fight
Veteran promoter Don King on Tuesday delivered a cease-and-desist letter to Zuffa Boxing and parent company TKO Group Holdings attempting to stop King-promoted WBC cruiserweight champion Noel Mikaelian from fighting in Saturday’s co-main event bout versus former IBF champion Jai Opetaia.
Calling the bout’s creation “indefensible” and “disturbing,” King attorney Alejuandro Brito wrote, “TKO/Zuffa’s actions are outrageous and a clear tortious interference with DKP’s agreement. Based on emails between you and DKP’s legal counsel, there is absolutely no doubt that TKO/Zuffa was, and is, aware that DKP is Noel’s promoter.
“I understand that you were personally involved in discussions with [King counsel] regarding a potential fight or multi-fight deal for Mikaelian, which would include a fight with Opetaia, and that no agreement was consummated.”
Zuffa Boxing officials did not immediately respond to Boxing Scene requests for comment on the cease-and-desist letter, but Mikaelian told Boxing Scene last week that his contract with King allows him to identify and agree to competing offers, and that’s what has happened here.
Mikaelian-Opetaia is positioned as co-main event to Ryan Garcia’s WBC welterweight title defense versus England’s Conor Benn at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Armenia’s Mikaelian won back the WBC cruiserweight title with a unanimous-decision victory over Badou Jack in Los Angeles in December.
Expressing frustration that King didn’t move to make him a fight, Mikaelian and his advisor were in talks with Zuffa to stage a bout versus unbeaten Zuffa cruiserweight champion Opetaia.
The WBC then ruled Mikaelian must first meet unified 200lbs champion and WBC light-heavyweight titlist David Benavidez. When negotiations stalled, Mikaelian went back to Zuffa’s Opetaia deal, and the fighter told BS last week he was no longer fretting about being stripped of his belt.
That is expected to happen Saturday night when the first bell rings.
King’s legal team, of course, is working to stop the fight entirely.
“It is particularly disturbing to know that TKO/Zuffa’s COO, Harrison Whitman, and the head of TKO/Zuffa, Dana White, had at least
one virtual conference with DKP’s President, Don King … in an effort to secure a provision of services deal for Mikaelian, again which included a fight with Opetaia,” Brito wrote to a TKO Group Holdings senior vice president and general counsel.
“Although no deal was reached, it is indefensible for Zuffa/TKO to completely ignore the DKP agreement, the promoter-fighter relationship between DKP and Mikaelian, and circumvent DKP and engage the services of Mikaelian for the bout with Opetaia.”
Mikaelian’s contention that he and his advisor were empowered to make fights on their own are disputed by King attorney Brito.
“The DKP agreement grants Mikaelian the right to ‘discuss and explore’ other fight opportunities, but only in consultation with DKP and under no circumstance can Mikaelian enter into an agreement with another party for his professional services without the expressed consent and permission of DKP,” Brito wrote.
“TKO/Zuffa’s actions … [are] a clear tortious interference of the agreement. DKP does not and has not granted TKO/Zuffa permission to engage the services of its fighter, Mikaelian. To be unequivocally clear, TKO/Zuffa’s actions constitute a knowing, intentional and unjustified tortious interference with the agreement. Any contracts that Mikaelian has entered into or shall enter into for his professional services as a fighter, without the express, written consent of DKP are void.
“The announced September 12 bout between Mikaelian and Opetaia cannot go forward. TKO/Zuffa must immediately cancel the bout between Mikaelian and Opetaia and announce such cancellation in the media immediately.”
A legal official familiar with Mikaelian’s agreement with King said they do not expect the fight to be stopped.
Veteran promoter Don King on Tuesday delivered a cease-and-desist letter to Zuffa Boxing and parent company TKO Group Holdings attempting to stop King-promoted WBC cruiserweight champion Noel Mikaelian from fighting in Saturday’s co-main event bout versus former IBF champion Jai Opetaia.
Calling the bout’s creation “indefensible” and “disturbing,” King attorney Alejuandro Brito wrote, “TKO/Zuffa’s actions are outrageous and a clear tortious interference with DKP’s agreement. Based on emails between you and DKP’s legal counsel, there is absolutely no doubt that TKO/Zuffa was, and is, aware that DKP is Noel’s promoter.
“I understand that you were personally involved in discussions with [King counsel] regarding a potential fight or multi-fight deal for Mikaelian, which would include a fight with Opetaia, and that no agreement was consummated.”
Zuffa Boxing officials did not immediately respond to Boxing Scene requests for comment on the cease-and-desist letter, but Mikaelian told Boxing Scene last week that his contract with King allows him to identify and agree to competing offers, and that’s what has happened here.
Mikaelian-Opetaia is positioned as co-main event to Ryan Garcia’s WBC welterweight title defense versus England’s Conor Benn at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Armenia’s Mikaelian won back the WBC cruiserweight title with a unanimous-decision victory over Badou Jack in Los Angeles in December.
Expressing frustration that King didn’t move to make him a fight, Mikaelian and his advisor were in talks with Zuffa to stage a bout versus unbeaten Zuffa cruiserweight champion Opetaia.
The WBC then ruled Mikaelian must first meet unified 200lbs champion and WBC light-heavyweight titlist David Benavidez. When negotiations stalled, Mikaelian went back to Zuffa’s Opetaia deal, and the fighter told BS last week he was no longer fretting about being stripped of his belt.
That is expected to happen Saturday night when the first bell rings.
King’s legal team, of course, is working to stop the fight entirely.
“It is particularly disturbing to know that TKO/Zuffa’s COO, Harrison Whitman, and the head of TKO/Zuffa, Dana White, had at least
one virtual conference with DKP’s President, Don King … in an effort to secure a provision of services deal for Mikaelian, again which included a fight with Opetaia,” Brito wrote to a TKO Group Holdings senior vice president and general counsel.
“Although no deal was reached, it is indefensible for Zuffa/TKO to completely ignore the DKP agreement, the promoter-fighter relationship between DKP and Mikaelian, and circumvent DKP and engage the services of Mikaelian for the bout with Opetaia.”
Mikaelian’s contention that he and his advisor were empowered to make fights on their own are disputed by King attorney Brito.
“The DKP agreement grants Mikaelian the right to ‘discuss and explore’ other fight opportunities, but only in consultation with DKP and under no circumstance can Mikaelian enter into an agreement with another party for his professional services without the expressed consent and permission of DKP,” Brito wrote.
“TKO/Zuffa’s actions … [are] a clear tortious interference of the agreement. DKP does not and has not granted TKO/Zuffa permission to engage the services of its fighter, Mikaelian. To be unequivocally clear, TKO/Zuffa’s actions constitute a knowing, intentional and unjustified tortious interference with the agreement. Any contracts that Mikaelian has entered into or shall enter into for his professional services as a fighter, without the express, written consent of DKP are void.
“The announced September 12 bout between Mikaelian and Opetaia cannot go forward. TKO/Zuffa must immediately cancel the bout between Mikaelian and Opetaia and announce such cancellation in the media immediately.”
A legal official familiar with Mikaelian’s agreement with King said they do not expect the fight to be stopped.
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Ruthless-RKO
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Re: Conor Benn vs. Ryan Garcia | DAZN - 12 September 2026
Ryan Garcia, having 'nice relaxing time', fails to show for face-off with Conor Benn
Ryan Garcia failed to show for an arranged ‘face-off’ with Conor Benn on Tuesday, four days before the pair are due to do battle for Garcia’s WBC welterweight title in Las Vegas.
It’s the latest silly occurrence in a long line of them.
The first might have been the making of the fight itself. Benn, though No. 1 with the WBC at 147lbs, hasn’t competed in the weight class since April 2022.
Consequently, the last fortnight has seen speculation mount that the British challenger, who scored his finest win up at middleweight over Chris Eubank Jnr last November, is certain to be weight-drained by the time the pair weigh in on Friday.
That conjecture only increased when Benn posted footage of himself, post-training session, looking almost impossibly svelte last week.
Garcia, who almost came to blows with Benn when the pair went nose-to-nose at a launch event in July, has taken the suggestion that Benn is going to be a spent force due to that weight cut and run with it.
“Nice relaxing time as Conor wastes time showing up to a face-off,” Garcia said about his no-show.
“Back to the sauna you go, sausage getting cooked in every way.”
Benn, looking healthier than he had after a strenuous training session, kept his cool.
"Saturday can't come soon enough," he said.
"I apologise for Ryan [Garcia] doing what Ryan does and bottling it. We turn up, we're here, ready for the face-off.
"He needs to get his shit together because come Saturday, he's in for a real, real shock."
Garcia, 25-2 (20 KOs), won the belt in February when he outpointed Mario Barrios over 12 rounds. Two months later, while weighing 149.5lbs, the 25-1 (14 KOs) Benn outpointed Regis Prograis over 10 rounds in his first bout since two fights at middleweight against Eubank Jnr.
Ryan Garcia failed to show for an arranged ‘face-off’ with Conor Benn on Tuesday, four days before the pair are due to do battle for Garcia’s WBC welterweight title in Las Vegas.
It’s the latest silly occurrence in a long line of them.
The first might have been the making of the fight itself. Benn, though No. 1 with the WBC at 147lbs, hasn’t competed in the weight class since April 2022.
Consequently, the last fortnight has seen speculation mount that the British challenger, who scored his finest win up at middleweight over Chris Eubank Jnr last November, is certain to be weight-drained by the time the pair weigh in on Friday.
That conjecture only increased when Benn posted footage of himself, post-training session, looking almost impossibly svelte last week.
Garcia, who almost came to blows with Benn when the pair went nose-to-nose at a launch event in July, has taken the suggestion that Benn is going to be a spent force due to that weight cut and run with it.
“Nice relaxing time as Conor wastes time showing up to a face-off,” Garcia said about his no-show.
“Back to the sauna you go, sausage getting cooked in every way.”
Benn, looking healthier than he had after a strenuous training session, kept his cool.
"Saturday can't come soon enough," he said.
"I apologise for Ryan [Garcia] doing what Ryan does and bottling it. We turn up, we're here, ready for the face-off.
"He needs to get his shit together because come Saturday, he's in for a real, real shock."
Garcia, 25-2 (20 KOs), won the belt in February when he outpointed Mario Barrios over 12 rounds. Two months later, while weighing 149.5lbs, the 25-1 (14 KOs) Benn outpointed Regis Prograis over 10 rounds in his first bout since two fights at middleweight against Eubank Jnr.
Re: Conor Benn vs. Ryan Garcia | DAZN - 12 September 2026
It still surprises me that Don King still has a stable of boxers
A stable of donkeys I could believe.
A stable of donkeys I could believe.
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Nightmare Roy
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Re: Conor Benn vs. Ryan Garcia | DAZN - 12 September 2026
Benn is gonna get embarrassed in this fight. He's gonna lose bad
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Ruthless-RKO
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Ruthless-RKO
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Ruthless-RKO
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MightyWarrior
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Re: Conor Benn vs. Ryan Garcia | DAZN - 12 September 2026
God knows what condition Benn will be in, he’s either incredibly stupid and it’s a disaster, or he’s bluffing and 24 hours after weigh in we will see him in ace condition, I’ve no real idea.
It doesn’t look good in those pictures though.
And there’s a 50-50 chance both of them are juicing, so throw that in there.
I was wondering why Benn gets these undeserved huge paydays.. it must be the drama and charisma he brings. That’s it.
Benn is quite like his dad, trash talk wise, but his dad was more likeable. Everyone loves the dad and everyone hates the son. Imagine if dad had been busted for drugs in the 90s - that could’ve happened - then how would we see him?
One of the few occasions where I wouldn’t mind seeing the American win, though If Benn is really good enough to take Garcia’s left hook and win the fight, then he’ll deserve it.
It doesn’t look good in those pictures though.
And there’s a 50-50 chance both of them are juicing, so throw that in there.
I was wondering why Benn gets these undeserved huge paydays.. it must be the drama and charisma he brings. That’s it.
Benn is quite like his dad, trash talk wise, but his dad was more likeable. Everyone loves the dad and everyone hates the son. Imagine if dad had been busted for drugs in the 90s - that could’ve happened - then how would we see him?
One of the few occasions where I wouldn’t mind seeing the American win, though If Benn is really good enough to take Garcia’s left hook and win the fight, then he’ll deserve it.
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Ruthless-RKO
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Ruthless-RKO
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Re: Conor Benn vs. Ryan Garcia | DAZN - 12 September 2026
Garcia seeks momentum after career filled with setbacks
Conor Benn is nicknamed "The Destroyer."
But WBC welterweight champion Ryan Garcia is promising that he'll ravage his rival's career when they square off Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Paramount+ in the U.S. and DAZN Pay-Per-View in the UK and Ireland.
"I'm going to go in there and destroy this man," Garcia said on "Road to Garcia vs. Benn," a produced vignette chronicling his preparation for the fight. "This is going to be a really, really beautiful performance. He's just not good enough to beat me. It's the bitter truth for him, and the sweet truth for me."
Garcia seems to be more mature and focused than ever heading into the first defense of his 147-pound title following years of erratic behavior and performances in the ring, including losses against Gervonta Davis and Rolando Romero and a positive test for a banned substance following his fight against Devin Haney.
Last time out, however, "King Ry" Garcia (25-2, 20 KOs) knocked down and dominated Mario Barrios to win the crown he now carries, setting himself up for the scrap against Benn (25-1, 14 KOs).
"A lot of fire, turmoil – it built me into the champion I am," Garcia said. "My whole career has been filled with setbacks. They test every part of you. But then I always find my way back home. It was a lot of soul searching, and this is the next evolution of me.
"During the Barrios camp, I had a change in mentality. My back was against the wall, so it kind of forced me to narrow things down. And I didn't know if I was going to get an opportunity like that again. I had to rebuild my body. I chose discipline, and I chose to be a professional."
With a victory against Benn, Garcia can claim some serious momentum as he angles for a title unification fight after that against WBA champion Teofimo Lopez.
Garcia deems Lopez a more deserving rival than the "fancy trash can, borderline bum, and dead man walking" Benn, as he claimed last week.
"I think that Conor just sees me as talented, but he doesn't know all the levels I go to master the craft," Garcia said. "I don't think Conor understands how much I actually love the game of boxing. I don't think he understands how much I actually know about boxing. I just don't think he understands how good I am."
Benn is heading into the bout on the heels of splitting a grudge match against Chris Eubank Jr. in 2025 as a middleweight and a 10-round unanimous decision win against Regis Prograis at a 150-pound catchweight bout last time out in April.
Benn's fight against Garcia will mark his first at the welterweight limit since April 2022.
"He's a big star. This is a chance to prove if he's at a super high level, but I don't think so," Garcia said. "This fight I'm going to be extraordinary."
Conor Benn is nicknamed "The Destroyer."
But WBC welterweight champion Ryan Garcia is promising that he'll ravage his rival's career when they square off Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Paramount+ in the U.S. and DAZN Pay-Per-View in the UK and Ireland.
"I'm going to go in there and destroy this man," Garcia said on "Road to Garcia vs. Benn," a produced vignette chronicling his preparation for the fight. "This is going to be a really, really beautiful performance. He's just not good enough to beat me. It's the bitter truth for him, and the sweet truth for me."
Garcia seems to be more mature and focused than ever heading into the first defense of his 147-pound title following years of erratic behavior and performances in the ring, including losses against Gervonta Davis and Rolando Romero and a positive test for a banned substance following his fight against Devin Haney.
Last time out, however, "King Ry" Garcia (25-2, 20 KOs) knocked down and dominated Mario Barrios to win the crown he now carries, setting himself up for the scrap against Benn (25-1, 14 KOs).
"A lot of fire, turmoil – it built me into the champion I am," Garcia said. "My whole career has been filled with setbacks. They test every part of you. But then I always find my way back home. It was a lot of soul searching, and this is the next evolution of me.
"During the Barrios camp, I had a change in mentality. My back was against the wall, so it kind of forced me to narrow things down. And I didn't know if I was going to get an opportunity like that again. I had to rebuild my body. I chose discipline, and I chose to be a professional."
With a victory against Benn, Garcia can claim some serious momentum as he angles for a title unification fight after that against WBA champion Teofimo Lopez.
Garcia deems Lopez a more deserving rival than the "fancy trash can, borderline bum, and dead man walking" Benn, as he claimed last week.
"I think that Conor just sees me as talented, but he doesn't know all the levels I go to master the craft," Garcia said. "I don't think Conor understands how much I actually love the game of boxing. I don't think he understands how much I actually know about boxing. I just don't think he understands how good I am."
Benn is heading into the bout on the heels of splitting a grudge match against Chris Eubank Jr. in 2025 as a middleweight and a 10-round unanimous decision win against Regis Prograis at a 150-pound catchweight bout last time out in April.
Benn's fight against Garcia will mark his first at the welterweight limit since April 2022.
"He's a big star. This is a chance to prove if he's at a super high level, but I don't think so," Garcia said. "This fight I'm going to be extraordinary."
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Ruthless-RKO
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Re: Conor Benn vs. Ryan Garcia | DAZN - 12 September 2026
Conor Benn aims to etch own legacy while living in father's shadow
Conor Benn and Ryan Garcia have done a commendable job building up their fight Saturday night.
The trash talk could overfill a garbage truck, but the war of words finally ends when they meet at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Paramount+ in the US and DAZN PPV in the UK and Ireland.
"I will make him quit. I've beaten a super middleweight in Chris Eubank. You think I'm worried about what a lightweight can do to me?" Benn said on "Road to Garcia vs. Benn," a produced vignette chronicling his preparation for the fight.
"I put nothing before winning this world title. Is it any easier? No, of course it ain't. It's painful. But you have to be selfish. I need to get that world title."
Benn (25-1, 14 KOs) has been gradually boiling down his body in preparation for the fight. In 2025, he split a pair of middleweight tilts and decisions against Chris Eubank Jr. Last time out in April, Benn beat Regis Prograis by decision at a 150-pound catchweight.
Against Garcia (25-2, 20 KOs), Benn will be fighting at the 147-pound limit for the first time since April 2022 as he attempts to capture a crown just like Nigel Benn, his Hall of Fame father.
"To me I will always be in my dad's shadow. What a great place to be. My dad's my hero. He's my legend. He's my idol. He's my everything," Benn said.
"No matter what I achieve, no matter what I go on to do in the sport, there will only be one Nigel Benn. If I'm half the man my dad is, I'll be a happy man. So, as far from ever leaving my dad's shadow, no, I never will.
"The name opens doors, and the name has helped me get to where I've gotten to, but you still have to put in the work. No one's in there fighting for you. So let me give 110 percent and just see where the ceiling is at — and clearly it's well."
Oddsmakers envision a modest ceiling for Benn, who's listed as a +250 underdog to beat Garcia.
But Benn is bullish that he'll blast Garcia and move on to bigger challenges in new weight divisions.
"Ten years of hard work, suffering, pressure — it's for this fight," Benn said. "It's for this moment. I'm going to knock this guy out. I'm going to render him unconscious."
Conor Benn and Ryan Garcia have done a commendable job building up their fight Saturday night.
The trash talk could overfill a garbage truck, but the war of words finally ends when they meet at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Paramount+ in the US and DAZN PPV in the UK and Ireland.
"I will make him quit. I've beaten a super middleweight in Chris Eubank. You think I'm worried about what a lightweight can do to me?" Benn said on "Road to Garcia vs. Benn," a produced vignette chronicling his preparation for the fight.
"I put nothing before winning this world title. Is it any easier? No, of course it ain't. It's painful. But you have to be selfish. I need to get that world title."
Benn (25-1, 14 KOs) has been gradually boiling down his body in preparation for the fight. In 2025, he split a pair of middleweight tilts and decisions against Chris Eubank Jr. Last time out in April, Benn beat Regis Prograis by decision at a 150-pound catchweight.
Against Garcia (25-2, 20 KOs), Benn will be fighting at the 147-pound limit for the first time since April 2022 as he attempts to capture a crown just like Nigel Benn, his Hall of Fame father.
"To me I will always be in my dad's shadow. What a great place to be. My dad's my hero. He's my legend. He's my idol. He's my everything," Benn said.
"No matter what I achieve, no matter what I go on to do in the sport, there will only be one Nigel Benn. If I'm half the man my dad is, I'll be a happy man. So, as far from ever leaving my dad's shadow, no, I never will.
"The name opens doors, and the name has helped me get to where I've gotten to, but you still have to put in the work. No one's in there fighting for you. So let me give 110 percent and just see where the ceiling is at — and clearly it's well."
Oddsmakers envision a modest ceiling for Benn, who's listed as a +250 underdog to beat Garcia.
But Benn is bullish that he'll blast Garcia and move on to bigger challenges in new weight divisions.
"Ten years of hard work, suffering, pressure — it's for this fight," Benn said. "It's for this moment. I'm going to knock this guy out. I'm going to render him unconscious."