Ryan Garcia's succession plan aims for a Conor Benn battering

LAS VEGAS – We may be here a while, and judging by Ryan Garcia’s attempted new fight-holiday residency that launched with props, trash talk and swagger, there’s potential for staying power.

Southern California’s Garcia effectively held court Thursday for the first defense of his WBC welterweight belt, authoritatively informing England’s Conor Benn of the Saturday night beating coming his way at T-Mobile Arena while seeking to establish his role as the sport’s next preeminent face.

With the thinning Benn vowing that he will shrink 13 pounds from last year’s high-profile middleweight doubleheader versus Chris Eubank Jnr to weigh in 147lbs Friday morning, Garcia goaded the Brit.

“He’s definitely not at 150 yet, and he’s set up excuses that he’s going up to 168[lbs] after this. Motherfucker, this is a title shot at 147.”

Benn assured he intends to capture a WBC belt as his father did while reigning at 168lbs from 1992-96.

“I feel unbelievable. I cut no corners. We’ll see who feels good tomorrow,” Conor Benn said. “I bring tenacity, ferocity, spite, experience. I’ve been here before, fighting in front of more than 70,000. I’m here to set the tone from the first round.”

“I’m going to go in there and do what I do. I’m here to bring the belt home. I want to give you guys value for your money. I’ll make the weight easy tomorrow, no problem. I’m prepared for a hard fight, never shy away from it. End of [story] – all the tweeting, streaming and talking’s done. We’re here to work.”

Garcia’s efforts are linked to a path started by Julio Cesar Chavez Snr and continued by Garcia’s promoter, Oscar De La Hoya (1995-2007), Floyd Mayweather Jnr (2007-2015) and Canelo Alvarez (2016-2025) to place their showcase bouts on Mexico’s festive holidays.

A cause to build anticipation for the next Cinco de Mayo card in Las Vegas was even joined by new WBA welterweight champion Teofimo Lopez, who appeared initially in disguise among a line of reporters, asking Garcia if he’s the face of boxing.

“Yeah, I have to beat Teofimo first,” Garcia replied as Lopez then revealed himself by peeling off a plastic face and beard, cracking, “I’m here!”

Zuffa Boxing head Dana White, after seeing T-Mobile Arena and his streaming partner Paramount+ ink a long-term sponsorship deal this week, said he anticipates staging a string of major bouts at the arena that could include a Garcia-Lopez unification that could move Garcia closer to a mega-showdown with his WBO welterweight-champion rival Devin Haney following their infamous 2024 no-contest.

“This kid,” White said, pointing to Garcia, “will fight anybody.”

Garcia’s father-trainer, Henry, told BoxingScene last week that his son’s power-punching ability can carry him through years of super-fights versus champions and contenders escalating through middleweight.

Proof of that, Henry Garcia said, will arrive with a destructive showing against Benn if the contender does indeed rehydrate past 170 pounds by fight night. Ryan Garcia told BoxingScene he sparred fighters “well over 165lbs” preparing for Benn.

“I don’t like to think too far ahead,” Garcia said of the future he’s poised to inherit in victory.

“I’m very comfortable at 147. This is the most prestigious weight class other than heavyweight. I’m going to be here for a long time and hopefully I get to kick Devin Haney’s ass again.”