Conor Benn to face Ryan Garcia for WBC welterweight title in Las Vegas

LONDON: Britain's Conor Benn will challenge WBC welterweight champion Ryan Garcia for the world title here at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on September 12th, marking the first championship opportunity of his professional career.

The 29-year-old, who became the WBC's number one contender in December despite not having fought at welterweight since February 2024, will take on Garcia in the American's first title defence after he defeated Mario Barrios to claim the belt in February.

Benn is now promoted by Zuffa Boxing, the new promotional venture backed by UFC president Dana White and Saudi Arabian investment.

"These guys have been going back and forth on social media and this fight is going to be awesome," said White.

The bout will take place during the weekend leading up to Mexican Independence Day, with Garcia, an American fighter of Mexican heritage, expected to attract strong support.

Garcia has won 25 of his 28 professional contests, suffering two defeats and one no contest. He served a one-year suspension between 2024 and 2025 after failing a drugs test.

Benn also spent a year out of the ring following a doping controversy but has returned to rebuild his career. His most recent fight at the welterweight limit came in February 2024, when he defeated Peter Dobson on points in Las Vegas.

Since then, Benn moved up two weight divisions for consecutive bouts against Chris Eubank Jr at middleweight before defeating Regis Prograis in April at a catchweight three pounds above the welterweight limit.