joke in my 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 lipstick?
No. No. Mini fighters like you.
Go for it. Go. Yeah.
You go for it. You go for it. Go.
Go. You're the one that started that You go for it. You punching people's heads in.
You and Ryan got in it on X the other day. You said he lacks heart and you're going to make him quit. Yeah.
You know, that's not that's not uh speculation. That's fact. We've seen it.
soon as he gets on top, as soon as he he gets a bit rough in there, he don't like it, you know. So, I I'll go in there and I'll show him I'll show him out what I'm like. Who want to do?
Who want to do? Who want to do? Who want to do?
Yeah. Yeah. They won't do it.
Cool. Wait till I smack you up. Wait till I make you quit.
Yeah. Why you quit? You won't make it.
You're dead. You won't make it. You won't make it.
You quit. You have no heart. Connor Ben erupts at Ryan Garcia after a tense, disrespectful face tof face interview.
Ben dismisses Garcia as a little influencer and makes it clear he is not overly concerned about his opponent. The exchange quickly becomes heated as both fighters trade verbal shots and intensify the buildup to their upcoming clash. Listen, he's like a big child.
He's like a spoiled brat throws his toys out of the pram on social media throwing little tantrums. I'm not really too concerned about this little influencer to my right. He ain't a fighter.
He can say whatever he wants. Ain't going to make no difference come September the 12th. Proven.
Yeah. 12 round war proven. I don't quit.
I don't say that. He's not going to make it to 12. There's not going to be a 12 round war.
I promise that I don't. Look at his hair, bro. He's looking for attention.
That's Look at his hair. He's looking for attention. He ain't going to make it past 12.
I promise you this not be a 12 round war. He's not good enough. He's not good enough to me.
You think my man's going to beat me? You think I'm going to let a guy from the UK come here and beat me and take my belt? [cheering] We lost him.
Listen, Ryan. Ryan. Ryan, calm down.
You're having one of them little episodes. Calm down. I know you're getting I know you're getting all excited.
I know you're getting all excited, but I'll come over here and smack them glasses straight off your face. Both fighters come face to face during the heated press conference. As the verbal exchanges become increasingly intense, the tension quickly rises when Ben and Garcia stand face to face, refusing to back down.
Their confrontation adds even more drama to the buildup with both fighters making it clear they are ready for war. Straight off your face. That's what I'll do.
See, man. You won't do I promise you. I promise you won't make you jump.
You ain't going to habit. The face-to-face interview quickly turned heated as both fighters exchanged verbal shots. In the interview, the British fighter Connor Ben pointed at himself and said, "12 round war proven.
I don't quit. I don't stay down on one knee. " This was a reference to Garcia's 2023 loss to Jervant Davis.
Garcia fired back by saying, "Ben's not going to make it to 12. He's not good enough. " He further said, "You think I'm going to let a guy from the UK come here and beat me and take my belt?
You've lost your mind. " Ben continued his verbal attack by telling Garcia, "Wait till I smack you up and make you quit. You have no heart.
You're not Mexican, bro. " The tension between Connor, Ben, and Ryan Garcia continued to rise as the two fighters took their rivalry to X. Ben fired the first shot, directly calling out Garcia and making his intentions clear.
Ben stated, "You talk too much. I'm going to smash your head in. " In response, Garcia stated, "I told you in person you aren't a good enough fighter to beat me.
You forced yourself in this position. I will show the lesson of rushing into something you just aren't ready for. " Crawford's prediction adds another interesting layer to the buildup, especially given his experience at the highest level of boxing.
With both fighters refusing to back down, the final answer will have to come when they finally meet inside the ring. I'll let you go in a second, but just curious. Shakur, Ryan Garcia, uh Connor Ben, Ryan Garcia, the they're all kind of like, you know, circling each other right now.
It seems like right now it seems like Ryan versus Connor. That's what it seems like. How do you How do you think that fight goes?
I think that's a good fight. I think of course Ryan got the experience, but I think Connor got the size and the power and I think that it's going to be an interesting fight uh moving forward. Okay.
Do you have a pick? I'm going go with Connor. Really?
Conor for real? I think you I think you don't upset him. Wow.
Not a lot of people picking Connor. I'm gonna pick him just cuz. Just go out there.
All right. Pick one. Wow.
Okay. Terren Crawford stated on X. Ryan Garcia, you might get knocked out.
You better be training and taking this fight serious. Tony Bellow and Josh Taylor discuss the upcoming Ryan Garcia versus Connor Ben matchup while examining whether Ben is truly ready for a fight of this magnitude. Bellow gives Ben the benefit of the doubt after his recent performance, pointing out that the British fighter has been competing at 160 lbs before having to come back down to 147.
He explains that losing around 10 lbs of muscle can have an effect on the body and that Ben needs time to adjust before performing at his best. However, Bellow remains unconvinced that Ben is currently operating at Garcia's level. He questions whether Ben genuinely merits the matchup and suggests that the commercial appeal is a major reason the fight is happening.
I think Connor Ben is far better than people think, but he's he's he's what I will say to you is he's not shown he's at Ryan Garcia's level. That's that's what that's Yeah. Yeah.
I don't think he's shown that he's worthy of a fight of that magnitude. um other other than massive massive revenue and massive uh sort of commercially but he has he has done well and he has improved a hell of a lot like I I generally think he has improved a lot but then going off that last performance against prog I thought wow that's he did look like a difference I thought he was terrible but then I I got to say he got to give him benefit of the doubt as well he's been up at 160 he's had to then come back down to 147. I think that I think he weighed in at 149 or maybe something like that 150.
But again, it's still it's taken that it's taking [music] that 10 kilos of, you know, or 10 pounds of muscle off, you know, and that that that has an effect on your body. It's got you've got to give your time your body time to adjust to pulling that off and be able to perform. The discussion then shifts toward Garcia's unpredictability.
Belleu believes that if both fighters perform at their absolute best, Garcia should be considered the clear favorite. However, he warns that Garcia can be difficult to predict, meaning the outcome could change depending on which version of Garcia enters the ring. The analysts also acknowledge Ben's chances, particularly his fitness, pressure, and ability to maintain a strong pace across 12 rounds.
His recent performances have also shown improved discipline and an ability to follow a game plan, making him a genuine threat if Garcia is not at his best. That if I got to the final, I become not only a world champion, if I get to the final, I get the chance to become a unified world champion. Duke McKenzie questions whether Connor Ben can find success against Ryan Garcia, especially given the challenges surrounding his return to the 147 lb division.
McKenzie points out that Ben has not boxed at 147 for four years and suggests that struggling to make weight could take away from his performance. [music] He also believes Garcia has developed significantly since becoming champion and has gained valuable experience against higher level opposition. While Garcia has not won every fight, McKenzie highlights the quality of opponents he has faced and believes they are stronger than the competition Ben has previously beaten.
He acknowledges Ben's success outside the ring, but remains doubtful about his chances against Garcia. Connor has not boxed at 147 for 4 years. And when when you're trying to make weight and you're trying and you have to drag to make weight [music] takes takes away your aame.
Even his agame, I'm not so sure would beat [music] Ryan Garcia cuz Garcia is a much improved champion now since getting that that belt wrapped around his waist. I think he's a much improved champion. He's [music] mixed at higher level.
All right. He hasn't won all of his fights, Garcia, but he's beaten some quality fighters. Fighters that are much better than Connor Ben.
I mean, Connor's done a great job in terms of a getting paid and b talking himself into a world title fight. I don't know who does that. I don't know who's done that before previously, [music] but he's managed to do it.
Now, for him for him to beat Ryan Garcia, it it will take more than just it's going to take more than just boxing skill and it's going to take more than just a big punch. I don't think Connor Ben's going to be physically strong enough cuz I think it'd be weight drained. They're not making excuses for him.
You understand? But I think he'd be weight drained before the fight because they they I think they don't have a weight stipulation where they can put on as much as they want after the weighing. Spencer Oliver questions why Connor Ben remains so determined to compete at 147 lbs despite the obvious challenges involved with making weight.
He points out that Ben has not fought at the weight for 4 years and believes the opportunity for a major payday is a major reason behind the decision. Oliver also highlights Ben's performance against Regis Prograes where he weighed around 150 pounds and appeared to lose some of his punching power compared with his fight against Chris Eubank Jr. at 160.
He suggests that losing the final few pounds can be extremely demanding and could have a significant impact on Ben's performance. There's some specters up there in terms of Boots and Josh Kelly, so he doesn't have an easy pathway there. But why do you boys think and jump in when you want that he's made it so unequivocal that he has to fight at 147 given what we've all just said about weight drain and coming back down to that weight again because the opportunity was there for at 147 he was made WBC number one and he was mandatory there even though he hadn't made the weight as Juke said for four years which was absolutely absurd but the opportunity was there [music] the big payday is there and in Colin Ben's head he'll be saying yeah I can still make 147 but I'm with Juke.
The reality is he made 150 against Regis Prograde. The punts power clearly left him down at 150 to what it was against Chris Eubank at 160. And you know I think dropping that last£3 as you guys know make making weight and how difficult that is.
That last three pounds to the normal guy is like losing three stones and it will take a lot out of him. The reality is I think we saw against Regis Pro 147's going to be difficult for Conor Ben. Wade Plemens breaks down the growing rivalry between Ryan Garcia and Connor Ben, explaining that the tension between the two fighters has been building for much longer than the current fight announcement.
He points back to their first notable interaction at the Ring Magazine Awards in January 2025 when the two fighters already exchanged playful but competitive remarks. At that stage, there was no fight scheduled, but Ben's aggressive personality was already clear. Plemens explains that Ben rarely appears relaxed around other fighters and always seems ready for confrontation.
He believes Garcia understands this side of Ben and may be deliberately pushing his buttons during their recent interactions. I have Ryan Garcia winning this fight. I do think that that he's on a different level, but again, rival a rivalry creates the best in both fighters.
And with Connor Ben, he will, I think, fight up to his level of competition, which will make him dangerous. Again, we'll see what the power is at 147, but Ryan's been hit on the chin, been dropped. There is something there.
They're both power punchers. I do think it it fits Ryan's style that Connor is so, you know, [music] fast twitch and he he has to do all these massive exaggerated movements behind his jab and his right hand. It leaves openings for the quick left hook from Ryan and the right hand from Ryan.
But I think all this plays right into what Ryan wants. Ryan wants him to get emotional. Ryan wants him to come after him so he can get on that back foot, throw that check hook.
The discussion then turns toward Garcia's approach at the press conference. Plemen suggests that Garcia is using psychological tactics to get under Ben's skin and potentially make him react emotionally. He compares the situation to Ben's previous rivalry with Chris Eubank Jr.
where the heated exchanges appeared to affect the emotional dynamic between the two fighters. Clemens questions whether Garcia is attempting to create the same situation with Ben by continuing to provoke him before they finally step into the ring. The rivalry is clearly becoming more personal, adding another layer of intrigue to their upcoming matchup.
Ryan really cares about that anymore. I think it really messed with him as a kid, like or you know, as he was coming up in boxing that he wasn't Mexican enough, but this is on Mexican Independence Day. Maybe Connor Ben can can go full on wear, you know, do the Floyd Mayweather thing and wear the the Mexican flag and I'm here fighting for the Mexican people.
That might get Connor a bit of a, you know, a cheer. That might get him a bit more of some fans because right now it seems like everybody's rooting against Connor, which is seems like that happens in most of his fights. But it also might get under Ryan's skin if he goes that route.
really play into the fact that that Ryan's not a true Mexican, that he doesn't speak Spanish, that he has no heritage in that, that he's one of these American talking, you know, social media uh fighters that ain't really about it. He's kind of doing that. Ryan's just he's not falling for the bait right now.
And instead, it's Connor who's getting baited just because Ryan opens his mouth. That's all he has to do is say, "You're not good enough to beat me. " Ariel Helwani discusses the growing excitement around Ryan Garcia versus Connor Ben, describing it as an entertaining matchup with plenty of intensity and personality.
He highlights the heated interactions between the two fighters, including their exchanges in Spanish, which added another entertaining element to the buildup. Helwani also points out that both fighters fathers were involved during the event, adding to the atmosphere surrounding the confrontation. While he acknowledges that there are arguably more accomplished opponents Garcia could face in a WBC welterweight title defense, he believes Ben brings something different to the matchup.
Amazing stuff. The crowd was great. This is the type of fight that you can bring to a Fanatics Fest type of crowd and they'd be into it.
Um, so, so the energy was great. Connor Ben busting out the Spanish was a nice little wrinkle. He spends a lot of time in Spain.
His Spanish is great, by the way. And I don't know if Ryan speaks Spanish fluently like like Connor does, but clearly Connor can hang. So that was fun.
Uh the two fathers being up there as well. Henry Garcia kind of got into the shot there and you could tell Dana didn't love that. He was trying to get him to move away.
All good. Nigel Ben there as well there. Listen, is it is it the purest fights the purest fight fans fight?
Maybe not. Are there other people that you would want to see Ryan fight against as far as like a WBC welterweight title defense? Yeah, sure.
But this is a fun fight, man. This is a fun fight. It's great for Mexican Independence Day weekend.
It's going to be interesting how the UFC is going to do with Noce UFC. I suspect they'll put Noce earlier in the day to lead into this. According to Helwani, Ben may not be considered a top tier boxer compared with some of the other names available to Garcia.
But he brings tremendous energy, aggression, and excitement. That makes the matchup particularly appealing because both fighters are known for their willingness to engage and create action. There's better boxers than Connor Ben that I would rather see Ryan Garcia fight.
But as far as like matching his intensity, matching his energy and bring like Connor Ben is not a top tier boxer of the level that some of these guys that are, you know, the conversation is happening around. But as far as bringing the fight, as far as excitement, as far as energy, like Connor Ben is all of that. And so I love Garcia versus Ben.
It's also the the the fraud check, right? Like in terms of when when Connor Ben signed for Zufa, the talk from the UK, I remember Dave Allen was on talkport and he was like, "This guy is the best match fighter of all time. " Like this feels like, okay, well, he he's not going to be able to hide in there against Ryan Garcia.
No, this is going to be an absolute check of his skill. And a lot of people feel like, you know, with the likes of Pro Gray and even the Eubank fights, he was always put in the favorable position. So very interested to see how it goes.
just in terms of the fight as well as all this stuff. Uh, and there's also a lot of questions about the actual fight itself. A, you know, Connor didn't look great in his last fight.
Ryan looked amazing. Prior to that, Ryan didn't look great. Connor looked amazing.
And so, it feels very Jackal and hidish. I'm very curious to see uh who turns up. Simon Jordan gives an honest reaction to this matchup, focusing on the dangers Ben could face against Garcia.
Jordan questions whether Ben is prepared for the level of challenge in front of him and suggests that Garcia's ability could create serious problems. The discussion highlights the difference in experience and quality between the two fighters while acknowledging that Ben remains a dangerous opponent with the physicality and determination to make the fight competitive. Jordan's blunt assessment adds another layer of intrigue to the buildup, especially as questions continue surrounding Ben's chances against Garcia.
He's gone for a match up with Connor Ben who's also signed to Zufa. How how long before we see Ben Shakur? Listen, Connor Ben comes through against Ryan Garcia.
You'll see that sooner rather than later. That is for sure. Huge.
Absolutely. So is this fight that Connor's going into now and Connor can establish himself as a world champion. Shakur Stevenson is a poundforpound star.
They both sign with Zu for boxing. I don't know how Zua boxing is going to get that money back by the way. If the rumors are right that I'm hearing and he signed Shako Stevenson signed a deal a nine figure deal£100 million pounds I'm hearing somewhere around that bottom $100 million how do they how do they get that sort of money back you know that is a that is a big big signing yeah he's a great little fighter but perhaps you need that dance partner and that dance partner is Connor Ben right we see lost leader isn't it brings other people in doesn't it Eddie Hearn points out the internal disagreement surrounding the co-promotion between Zufa Boxing and Oscar de la Hoya.
He explains that while working together may not be ideal for everyone involved, co-promotions are simply part of how boxing operates. Hearn suggests that Dana White would not normally choose to work with De La Hoya, but the business side of boxing can force promoters into situations they would not necessarily choose themselves. He also highlights the contradiction surrounding world championship fights and governing bodies, arguing that promoters cannot completely distance themselves from the organizations that control major titles.
Ern further defends Mauricio Sulaman and the WBC emphasizing their importance to boxing despite disagreements with some of their decisions. It's a ring card to start with with co-promoted by go Oscar and Zufa. Then they said they're not doing any world championship fights.
In fact, Nick Khn stood on the stand to try and abolish the Muhammad Ali act and belittled Meritzio Sulaman who I say one thing really important. Whatever you think about Muritzio Sulaman, let me tell you something now. He is boxing through and through, right?
I know because I've lived the same life. I've been around boxing since I was seven years old. So, don't start thinking that I don't care about the sport.
And Mauricio is the same. Mauricio's dad was so influential in the world of boxing. Mauritio's grown up in that household.
Now, I don't agree with every decision Mauricio Sulman makes, but he's integral to boxing and more so so is the WBC World Championship. And these guys stood on the stand and tried to belittle that organization and tell everybody they were crooked and they were disgraced to fighters and blah blah blah blah blah. Well, guess what?
On September the 12th, Moritzio Sulleman will be in the ring on their show and they'll all have to be with him and they'll all have to pay homage to the WBC championship because you can't just get rid of these things. That's it for today's video. So stay tuned.
