Boxing
Garcia confirms Benn title fight as date and location revealed
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WBC welterweight champion Ryan Garcia has confirmed that a fight with Conor Benn will take place later this year.
Garcia was a guest on Monday's episode of the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, and inevitably, when Garcia would be fighting next became a topic of conversation
Since beating Mario Barrios in February to become the WBC's welterweight world titleholder, Garcia has been linked to a meeting with Benn and it looks like 'The Destroyer' is next for the American this September, in Las Vegas.
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"I can say we are fighting on September 12, it will be in Vegas, and the opponent, let’s just say he’s from the other side," Garcia said.
"He’s from across the pond. I’ll just say his name because I love the show, his name is Conor Benn."
The September 12 date will see Garcia and Benn clash on the same day as Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez's fight with WBC super middleweight champion Christian Mbilli in Riyadh.
'It's personal' - Garcia recalls confrontation with Benn
Garcia also kicked off the war of words with Benn, recalling an incident where the pair clashed at Ring Magazine awards event.
"He actually confronted me at an awards show two years ago, my wife was there and he pressed upon me, grabbed me, it’s a little personal.
"We’ll be ready to go and get him."
Benn responded soon after, posting a video of the pair meeting at the awards show on X with the caption "It was a civil conversation".
It should be an exciting build-up between Garcia and Benn, but questions remain as to who will promote the event.
Garcia is with Golden Boy Promotions, while Benn is a marquee name for Dana White's Zuffa Boxing, so if the fight is to take place, Oscar De La Hoya and White would have to put their differences aside and work together.
Benn made his debut with Zuffa in April when he beat former world super lightweight champion Regis Prograis after two thrilling encounters with Chris Eubank Jr. last year.
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