WBC welterweight world champion Ryan Garcia has confirmed plans to defend his title against British challenger Conor Benn on September 12, 2026, in Las Vegas, Nevada. The news comes as IBF welterweight world champion Lewis Crocker also signaled his intent to face the winner, provided he successfully defends his own title later this month.
Ryan Garcia, who captured the WBC title earlier this year, described the upcoming bout as “personal” following a confrontation with Conor Benn at an awards show two years ago.
The proposed matchup would require a rare collaboration between rival promoters Oscar De La Hoya of Golden Boy, who represents Ryan Garcia, and Dana White of Zuffa Boxing, who recently signed Conor Benn. Despite not competing at the 147-pound limit since April 2022, Conor Benn remains the WBC’s mandatory challenger.
Ryan Garcia has predicted a stoppage victory, stating the British fighter will “go to sleep” in round six or seven of their Las Vegas encounter.
Tony Sims, trainer for Conor Benn, confirmed that negotiations are progressing for the September date. “Conor’s WBC mandatory, so Ryan’s got to defend against him at some stage,” Sims said, noting that while his fighter will be a “massive underdog,” the commercial scale of the event will be significant.
The contest is expected to be broadcast on the DAZN streaming platform, marking a pivotal moment for Terence Crawford‘s former division as new stars vie for supremacy.
Lewis Crocker eyes unification after June title defense
The stakes for the September clash have been raised by IBF champion Lewis Crocker, who recently told Matchroom Boxing that Conor Benn is high on his list of future opponents.
Lewis Crocker is currently preparing for his own immediate challenge, as he is scheduled to make the first defense of his title against Australia’s Liam Paro in Queensland on June 24, 2026. If he emerges victorious, he hopes to secure a massive unification fight against the Garcia-Benn winner.
Lewis Crocker named other high-profile targets, including Devin Haney and Rolando Romero, but acknowledged the significance of a domestic showdown with Conor Benn. Despite being the reigning IBF welterweight world champion, Lewis Crocker is considered the underdog for his upcoming trip to Australia.
He remains focused on the task at hand, stating, “I am not looking past Paro, but that is the plan” regarding his future unification ambitions.
The promotional landscape adds another layer of intrigue to these potential matchups. Conor Benn’s move to Zuffa Boxing resulted in a public fallout with his former promoter, making future negotiations for an all-British clash between a Matchroom-promoted champion like Lewis Crocker and a Zuffa-signed Conor Benn a complex prospect.
Nevertheless, the recent shifts in the division have caught the attention of other champions, including O’Shaquie Foster, as the welterweight rankings continue to evolve.
Promotional giants collaborate for September 12 Las Vegas card
The September 12 event represents a major foray into the boxing world for Dana White, the CEO of Zuffa Boxing. Dana White has praised Conor Benn as an “absolute beast” and a “superstar” who is ready to compete at the world title level.
The collaboration with Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy suggests a willingness for traditionally rival entities to work together for high-profile events that draw global viewership.
Ryan Garcia’s motivation appears fueled by a 2024 encounter where he claims Conor Benn “pressed upon” him in front of his wife at an awards show. Conor Benn, however, is looking to use the opportunity to prove his elite standing after a series of fights in higher weight classes.
Most recently, Conor Benn defeated Regis Prograis by unanimous decision in April 2026 at a catchweight of 150 pounds, following a high-profile two-fight series with Chris Eubank Jr.
While the Garcia fight remains the priority, Conor Benn has remained vocal about his willingness to face other top contenders. He has mentioned interest in Jaron “Boots” Ennis and Eimantas Stanionis, though he previously questioned Ennis’s mainstream profile outside the boxing community.
For now, Conor Benn’s focus is squarely on the WBC belt, stating he intends to go into the September fight “fueled with a chip on my shoulder” to silence his doubters.
Tony Sims emphasizes tactical discipline for Benn
Tony Sims has highlighted that Conor Benn must remain tactically disciplined to succeed on the world stage, drawing parallels to the preparations for his second fight against Chris Eubank Jr. In that rematch, Conor Benn secured a unanimous decision victory at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in November 2025.
Sims believes this same level of focus will be required when facing a champion of Ryan Garcia’s caliber in Las Vegas.
Conor Benn himself has dismissed concerns about Ryan Garcia’s famous left hook, famously stating, “They said don’t hook with a hooker. That’s exactly what I’m going to do.” This defiance is a staple of his persona under the Zuffa Boxing banner. Although fans recently saw com/shakur-stevenson-fans-roast-social-media-post-authenticity/”>Shakur Stevenson face criticism on social media, Conor Benn seems to embrace the polarizing nature of his path to a world title.
As the June 24, 2026, date for Lewis Crocker vs. Liam Paro approaches, the welterweight division stands at a crossroads. The outcome in Queensland will dictate the feasibility of an IBF and WBC unification later this year.
With Ryan Garcia and Conor Benn already locked into their September narrative, the 147-pound class is preparing for a season that could finally provide clarity to its championship lineage.
