I told him I had a plan. I'm going to [music] do this, this, and that. And I stuck to the plan.
I said, "I'm going to see you last. " I didn't lie. I just stuck to [music] what I felt in my spirit on what to do, you know?
And that's what I did. And I think you're good at what you do, you know that like, yeah, it's good. I like it.
I just, like I said, I seen him picking [music] up steam like he was he was, you know, making noise and I felt like he got to the point where [music] like it's time to run it, you know? I feel like he's coming into his own. I am myself.
And I felt like it was the perfect time. Stronger than me. No, you weren't [music] strong.
You punched like a girl. The boxing world is buzzing as Ryan Garcia and Connor Ben come face to face in a fiery interview ahead of their showdown. I can't really say it's going to be [music] hard or easy.
Sometimes I think fights are going to be hard and then over in like a second. Sometimes it's going to be easy work and it's actually harder than I thought. So, we just won't know till we're in there.
Somehow I find the target every time. be talking. No, I'm serious.
I'm serious. I'm serious. Come on now.
Come on now. City. You know, you know how it is.
Your city. Your city. In my city.
You don't think I'm going to hit you with that lift? No. Mini fighters like you.
I thought that was Yeah, you go for it. You go for it. You go for it.
You're the one that started that. Garcia has officially announced that he will face Connor Ben this September in Las Vegas with the blockbuster showdown expected on September 12th. Connor Ben, is it happening?
Yes, sir. I announced it already. Is is about to happen.
12th of September. You going to beat him? Yes, sir.
The fight is set to be Garcia's first WBC welterweight title defense, adding even more intensity to their growing rivalry. We are being told that September, uh, the Mexican holiday in September, around about the 12th of September, Las Vegas, the destination, as Ryan Garcia of Mexican heritage will be defending his WBC uh, welterweight championship. and he was on the Jimmy Fallon show this week, which he's massive over in the States.
He made a big announcement because he says that he's going to be fighting a certain fellow from the the United Kingdom uh in the shape of uh of Connor Ben. Promoter of Zufa Boxing, Dana White, had already made it clear he is open to making a blockbuster clash between Connor Ben and Ryan Garcia next as Connor signed a fiveight deal with Zufa. Uh we signed a one fight deal with him and now we just saw signed a two and a half year fiveight deal with him uh to stay with Zu for Boxing.
Ryan Garcia and the potential for a fight against him is what everybody's been making noise about. What fight do you want? What have you told Dana White?
Whoever wants it can get it. That's who you are. I have no doubt about it.
But I asked a very direct question. This is first thing. He don't know me that well yet.
Who do you like the next Garcia? That's all I want to hear. That's all I want to hear.
Hey, Dana. That's what I was asking about. What about you, Dana?
I I agree with everything he said. That's why I'm in the business right now, is to make the fights that people want to see. This sport is way more broken than I even thought it was.
I've already done more fights this year, my first year, than all the promoters combined. My job is to figure out how how to pay him and pay me. You know, I got to make sure that we make enough money for everybody.
His job is to be a badass. I just want to give people value for money. I want people to want to tune into a Connor Ben fight.
I pour my soul into my fights and I give them every every shot I have. During an appearance on Stephen A. Smith's show, Connor Ben also admitted that the clash with Ryan Garcia would be the biggest fight of his career so far.
Ben emphasized the magnitude of the occasion, saying it represents a defining moment in his journey to world level boxing. Ryan Garcia and the potential for a fight against him is what everybody's been making noise about as well. Where is your head in regards to that?
What fight do you want? What have you told Dana White? Listen, we're fight we're going to try made a WBC world title.
You know, I'm mandatory for that that shot. I've worked hard to get to that shot, but ultimately I'm not sure of options. You know, there's plenty of fighters calling me out.
So, we'll see what's there. Whatever fight the public want they can get, I'm here cuz I want to make the biggest fights possible. I want to make the most memorable nights in boxing.
You know, the ones where people go, core, what a fight. What a night. Something to remember.
History made, legacy made. Uh that's why that's why I'm here. So, whoever wants it can get it.
That's who you are. I have no doubt about it. But I asked a very direct question.
This is he don't know me that well yet. Who do you want? Who's the Garcia?
That's all I want to hear. That's all I want to hear, Dana. That's what I was asking about.
Eddie Hearn has also suggested that a high-profile bout like this could be the biggest fight in boxing. Mainly because of the global attention, social media hype, and crossover fan bases it would attract. Brian Garcia against Conor Ben.
arguably the biggest fight in boxing. I mean, we would take 15,000 to Las Vegas for that fight. Connor would sell out a stadium with Ryan's a huge name.
He's got to beat Barios first. I believe he will. So, that's a monster fight, but we got to worry about Connor Ben and Connor Ben only.
And I'm not having him sitting around waiting. You know what he's like? He's back in the gym already.
He's he's looking phenomenal. He's not going to want to wait till July, August to fight. We need to fight May, June at the absolute latest.
if we're guaranteed that fight. If not, we'll go earlier. Nigel Ben has expressed full confidence in his son, Connor Ben, insisting he believes Connor can defeat any opponent put in front of him, including big names like Ryan Garcia and Devin Haney, showing complete faith in his ability and future in world boxing.
Nigel, when this interview goes out, Connor will have already fought, so assume he does beat Regis Pro tonight. Do you want to see him in there with Ryan Garcia, Devon? Who do you want to see him in there?
Um, whoever they got lined up, I don't mind. I'm I'm very confident my boy's fighting all of them against um Roelly Garcia. So, I'm just happy for I'm happy for um him to fight any of them.
I really do. And now that he's at his proper weight, you will really see the good the best of Connor tonight. However, many fans and boxing experts believe Connor Ben is not yet at Ryan Garcia's level.
The general view is that Garcia has more natural talent, higher level experience, and a proven ability to compete at a world championship level after winning the WBC welterweight title. I think Ryan Garcia is the favorite. And again, people say, "You said blah blah blah.
" Yes, I did. I did because I wasn't going to go, "Ah, this Gizer we promote got absolutely zero chance, was I? " Connor Ben is a brilliant athlete, right?
He's a brilliant trainer. I'll never take away his strengths. But from a boxing perspective, he's not from a boxing perspective at the levels of Brian Garcia.
But he can still go in there and cause trouble against those fighters. And if he turns up on 100% on that day, can he beat him? Yeah, sure.
But Brian Garcia is a great fight. It will be a massive occasion. I'm not taking anything away from it.
What I stand by is the fact that it's one of the biggest fights in the sport, Connor Ben against Ryan Garcia. Some critics are concerned because Connor Ben has not consistently competed at the 147 pound welterweight limit for around four years, raising questions about how effectively he can return to the division against elite level opponents like Ryan Garcia. Connor Ben hasn't foughted 147 pounds flat for the last four years.
His last fight was 150 lb catchweight against Regis Progre. He hasn't hit 147 for four years. still highly ranked with the WBC at 147 and now gets an opportunity it seems in September to be fighting for a world championship.
Yeah. Yeah, and if you I mean we we have to comment on that performance um as the chief support for Tyson Fury and Arsenal back Matt Midovv at Tottenham whatever it was six seven weeks ago because he looked very weight drained all week as well and like you say he made 150 um and it was really hard work I think came in just under 150 anyway didn't he on the day yeah um and Regis Progra is a slippery slick southpaw's at tail end of his career on the way down at the moment and even though Connor Ben won handily. It was over 10 rounds I think wasn't it on the night.
Um he didn't struggle but he didn't look full of vim and vigor the this tensile the tensile strength is there but he didn't look like the racking ball that fought at middleweight against uh against Chris Eubank Jr. in the second fight. Listen to Paulie Malinari had some things to say about the fight and Connor Ben.
Listen to him. Paulie, did you catch the Conor Ben fight? Did you catch the Con event?
I I I did. I did. You know what, guys?
I'm done. I'm done with it. This guy is horrible.
This guy This guy This guy's terrible. I I don't mind watching Conor Ben. Like, I I don't mind him getting the fanfare.
He's He's an okay fighter. Just don't start mentioning him at world class level. Then you start going start crossing the line cuz he kind of he's not your Jake Paul either.
It's not like I'm to I'm throwing him all the way on the other side. I'm not doing that. I'm being a very honest person here.
He's an okay fighter, okay? But don't stop mentioning him with these world class situations and world class fighters. He talks about Shakor Stevenson and all this other stuff.
This name belongs nowhere near those guys. Okay, for the fanf fair, okay, I get it. People start talking about him.
He's got a lot of popularity and I understand that's gonna happen, but don't start mentioning him boxing wise with these guys. All of a sudden, right away, we start seeing tweets and Instagrams about this for Stevenson fighter. Everybody Stevenson would beat him with one hand.
I would beat him. I would beat him right now. I would beat him.
Okay. British sports analyst Gareth A. Davies has delivered a bold prediction ahead of the anticipated world title showdown, insisting Connor will be knocked out by Garcia.
Davies believes Garcia's speed, timing, and explosive left hook could prove too much for Ben, especially over the later rounds. You know, he he he's he's got star character and star qualities. If he's going to make 147, if he's good at the weight, it'll be a good fight.
If he has really struggled at the weight, he's going to struggle against Garcia, who is a massive puncher at welterweight with both left and right hooks, notably that left hook. It's a dangerous fight for him. I think it'll deliver all the way to the fight, but I'm afraid I think he'll get knocked out by Ryan Garcia unless he knocks Garcia out himself.
I want to see Deon Haney in with Ryan Garcia as well in the rematch. That's a massive fight. But Connor Ben, I've said this before and I will say it again, could end up with 50, 60, 70 million in the bank and never win a world title.
And that's an extraordinary thing say, but it will make him a very successful boxer in this period. If if you're Connor now, is that the fight that you go after and you take now? Yeah, because it's so big.
It's a really big at 147. Yes. Go and take it.
Go and have a go at it. Timothy Bradley believes Connor Ben is still far from elite level after his recent performances, criticizing his lack of experience, ring IQ, and overall sharpness inside the ring. Bradley pointed to Ben showing against Regis Pro, claiming he failed to dominate an opponent many viewed as past his best.
While Ben's aggressive style and punching power remain dangerous, Bradley argued that his technical flaws and limited amateur background become more obvious whenever he steps up in competition. He also suggested Ben sometimes looks hesitant under pressure against experienced fighters, raising concerns about how he would cope against worldclass names like Ryan Garcia. Despite acknowledging Ben's toughness and willingness to engage, Bradley insists the British star has not yet done enough to prove he belongs among boxing's true elite fighters at welterweight.
You know, you can look him up on on on Box Rack. He got five stars next to his damn name. like he's done something, you know, and he ain't done [ __ ] you know.
Um it's it's in the fight in the fight with Regis Pro. Um [music] you can see, you know, Regis was one of those guys that started late as well, but you can see the experience of Regis, uh, you know, start to show through. Now, you know, Connor Bin and his his his team, you know, made the adjustment and went down to the body of Regis and started to slow down and kind of take the fight out of Regis.
However, [music] um Regis was was in the fight, you know, he was catching he was catching Connor Bin with some you know, and it's just the inexperience and, you know, the low IQ of Conor Ben and not having enough experience to be at that elite level. Bradley assessed Connor Ben's performance against Regis Prograde as a clear example of his limitations at the elite level. He said Ben's experience and ring IQ were exposed as the fight progressed with ProGrade timing, composure, and veteran instincts becoming more noticeable in later rounds.
While Ben and his corner made smart tactical changes, especially targeting the body to slow prograde down, Bradley argued that these adjustments were not enough to completely take control of the fight. He noted that Progra still managed to land meaningful punches, highlighting defensive flaws in Ben's game. Bradley criticized Ben's low ring IQ and suggested he has not yet proven against top tier opposition.
Although he acknowledged Ben's physical strength and occasional power shots, he insisted that those attributes cannot make up for his technical weaknesses. It's because he has some pop or Yeah, he had some pop, you know, ever since, you know, he he uh stopped drinking that baby milk, whatever that was. He took uh fertility, whatever.
Yeah. They, you know, then they said there something about some contaminated eggs or some [ __ ] like that. Whatever the hell that is, you know?
I mean, that makes sense now to me, you know, why he's taking that [ __ ] you know. Uh they say, "Well, he didn't mean to take it and all this [ __ ] get the hell out of here with that. You know, he was suspended for some years, I believe.
But, um, you correct me if I'm wrong, but, you know, it was more mainly like because he don't believe in himself. You know, anytime he steps up in the fight, [music] you know, the dude is scared. He's scared to death.
You know, I'm pretty sure he was scared in in this fight, you know, because not only did he have to come down and wait, you know, and and cut muscle. Yeah, that he had to cut through muscle. Greg Hackett has strongly backed Ryan Garcia in a clash with Connor Ben, insisting Garcia's speed, timing, and sharp counter punching ability would be too much for Ben to handle.
He believes Garcia's ring IQ and explosive power make him a serious threat at welterweight, especially against aggressive fighters who leave openings. Hackett added that Ben's style, while exciting and relentless, could play directly into Garcia's strengths, particularly if the fight becomes a high-paced exchange. He also suggested Garcia has the experience of competing at a higher technical level, which would allow him to control distance and punish mistakes.
According to Hackit, if Garcia finds his rhythm early, he has the tools to stop Ben and make a clear statement on the world stage. They had the back and forth like uh I'mma knock you out and Connor responds that you tank made you quit. Um rolly ass and Luke Campbell drops.
What you think of that fight if it happens? I think it's a great fight. Um but I think [music] I think uh if Ryan go out there looking like anything he anything like his last fight, I think he'll stop Conor Ben.
I don't think Ken is uh defensive enough. I like I like his intensity level, but his defense don't really handle defense. And Ryan speed Ryan speed gives anybody pro problems and and then he can punch too.
So I think Ryan has stopped kind of been on some real [ __ ] I think I think all the 47 pounders are stopping. I think Brian Norman Jr. was stopping.
I think Bill I mean I think Devin Haney was stopping whoever had 47 top echelon. I think they'll stop him. Is it the weight?
Because he looked good against you back. Yeah, I think I think it could be the weight but also I think it's it's just his style. His style is not really that complicated.
It's a simple style and the things he do is simple. You jump in, jump out. You know what I mean?
Jump in, jump out. It's like fighting a strong amateur. He's like, it's just like being in there with a strong amateur.
Eddie Hearn believes Connor Ben is currently operating at roughly British level competition, meaning he is strong domestically, but not yet proven at the elite world championship level. However, Hearn also stresses that Ben is improving quickly and developing with each fight. According to Hearn, Ben still has clear areas to refine before he can compete consistently with world champions.
But his performances show steady progress in skill, conditioning, and ring IQ. He argues that critics should not judge him only on titles won so far because Ben is still evolving as a fighter and gaining experience against higher quality opponents. With continued improvement and tougher fights, he believes Ben could eventually close the gap between British level success and genuine world title contention.
I only feel people have asked me that. I didn't I didn't I didn't really feel any emotion if I'm honest. Like look, I didn't want him to look that bad honestly.
I'm not I'm not watching him going, "Oh, I hope he looks terrible. " I want him to I want him to look well. I was a bit frustrated watching because I think he can be much better than that.
I also think that down at that weight, I just don't I think he's got it in his head that he can make 47 and he can like and and he can make 47, but I don't think he's the same fighter when he's making 47 person. Like, listen, he's he's had it off. I mean, it's not me.
People are Yeah, but people are criticizing him. Oh, he could win a British title. He's not the best fighter in F6.
Look at what he's done. I mean, I would like to say that how I got him in that position was one of the greatest bits of work by any promoter ever to grace the world. And by the way, he put the work in.
I will always say Connor Ben works very hard. But me on my tombstone just right on the thing, I say great guy, you know, loving father and and what a job you did with Connor. And that will go down in history.
Veteran sports analysts Simon Jordan and coach Frank Smith discussed the Ryan Garcia versus Connor Ben fight and the wider reaction around it, including the peed related controversy. Frank Smith argued that Ryan Garcia is on a higher level than Ben in terms of skill and experience, suggesting it would be the toughest test of Ben's career. However, he also refused to completely dismiss Ben, saying that his work ethic, toughness, and aggressive style mean he can't be underestimated in a big fight.
Simon Jordan focused more on whether Ben is finally stepping up to a real elite level contest, implying that Garcia represents a major step up in class. The conversation also touched on the ongoing scrutiny around peed accusations in boxing, which has followed both fighters at different points in their careers. What's your reaction to one of your old stablemates now being paired up with Ryan Garcia?
We've now seen Conor Bem. He's going to go into what I consider to be a real fight for him. What's your reaction to that fight?
Yeah, I think it will be the hardest fight of his career today. One thing about Connor Ben, you know, as much as I my views may have changed personally, he trains very hard. He'll give it his all.
You know, it's going to be a great fight and it will be an entertaining fight, I'm sure. You know, I think Ryan Garcia, though, arguably is another level to the opponents he's been in in terms of levels. Um, and but, you know, I can't write Connor off.
I'm not going to sit here and write him off in that fight because he's going to go out there. This changes his life. He he's had a dream to become the WBC world champion.
I I I' I'd anticipate that belt is on the line and there's any differences with Zufa. But yeah, I wish him all the best. It's a great fight.
It's a massive fight for the sport of boxing. I mean, some people could be mean spirited, not me, and say it's the battle of the peeds, but in this instance, would you have put would [laughter] you have put Connor into a fight with Ryan Gossia? Yeah, look, I I said it publicly before.
You know, it was a huge fight. I said it the buildup for it will be massive. It's two big characters in Connor Ben and Ryan Garcia, you know, from the UK, US coming together.
I guess they do it in the US in Vegas probably. Um, so yeah, of course, if I was if we were still promoting Connor Ben, of course that would be a fight that we would target. Um, and wish wish them both all the best in it.
Max Kellerman has stated that the clash between Ryan Garcia and Connor Ben could be heavily one-sided, suggesting betting odds of around three, one in Garcia's favor. He believes Garcia's speed, accuracy, and elite level experience give him a clear advantage over Ben, who is still developing at the world level. Kellerman argued that while Ben brings aggression, toughness, and power, those traits may not be enough to overcome Garcia's technical skill set and ring IQ, he added that in a high-profile setting, Garcia's ability to control distance and counter punch effectively could dominate the fight from early rounds.
According to Kellerman, the matchup appears mismatched on paper with Garcia being the more polished and proven fighter. Despite this, he acknowledged that boxing can be unpredictable and Ben's pressure style always carries a puncher's chance. However, he emphasized that surprises in boxing remain possible if Ben lands early and disrupts Garcia's rhythm completely.
To what I just said, Ryan Garcia be a minus 350 favorite. Conor Benab plus 250. [music] When you add it all up, it's about a 3:1 type fight.
Mike, there, you know, the odds makers are saying that that that Ryan is 75% likely to win the fight, more or less. Who would you be putting your money on with those odds? With those odds, I'm putting my money on Conor Ben.
One thing that make this [music] fight so good to me is because what they both have in common is this. The better the opposition, the better they take the mission serious. What do you think happens when they meet in the ring?
Drp your predictions in the comments below.
