Conor Benn and Ryan Garcia had to be separated on stage as tempers flared at a chaotic press conference in New York City on Saturday. The bitter rivals made a beeline for one another at Fanatics Fest before being apprehended by Zuffa Boxing chief Dana White and security members.
Garcia will defend his WBC welterweight title against the British fighter on September 12 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The pair finally agreed to a deal for their bout this week after years of trash talk online.
Benn is moving back down to 147lbs for his first ever world-title shot after fighting twice at 160lbs and then at 150lbs in his last three contests. That move makes the Londoner a huge outsider against the hard-hitting champion, but it promises a fiery build-up between two fighters with clear disdain for one another.
Press conference melee
The incident on stage began after an animated Garcia stood up while claiming it will be an easy night for him on September 12. Benn responded: 'I know you're getting all excited, but I'll come over there and smack those glasses straight off your face.'
'You won't do s*** I promise you,' Garcia replied to spark the melee on stage. Benn responded by desperately trying to get over to the American star, who also had to be held back by security.
'I'm getting too old for this s***,' White joked as the war of words continued. Benn and Garcia eventually squared off in a head-to-head, although the UFC President kept himself firmly in the middle to prevent a scrap between the two men.
Drug scandals and recent records
Both fighters have bounced back from drug-related scandals in recent years. Garcia saw his 2024 majority-decision victory over fierce foe Devin Haney changed to a no-contest after testing positive for banned substance ostarine.
After serving a one-year suspension, Garcia suffered a points defeat to Rolando Romero in May 2025. He then claimed the WBC strap by toppling Mario Barrios in February.
Benn infamously spent close to three years in boxing wilderness after testing positive for clomifene ahead of his scheduled fight against arch-nemesis Chris Eubank Jr in 2022. The Londoner's suspension was ultimately lifted in 2024 after lengthy legal proceedings.
Benn lost to the naturally heavier Eubank Jr via unanimous decision when they finally met at 160lbs in April of last year. He avenged that defeat by claiming a unanimous-decision win in their rematch last November, before earning another unanimous-decision victory against Regis Prograis at 150lbs in April.
