Ryan Garcia explains no-show at Conor Benn face-off

15:58, 09 Sep 2026Updated 17:26, 09 Sep 2026

Ryan Garcia was simply enjoying some down time after he was a no-show for his scheduled face-off with Conor Benn.

The energetic American scrapper will put his WBC welterweight title on the line when he takes on Benn on Saturday night in Las Vegas.

Both fighters have already traded barbs on multiple occasions in the build-up to the contest, and fight week promises to be an entertaining one. Garcia had the opportunity to go head-to-head on Tuesday evening after he was scheduled to have a quick face-off with his upcoming rival.

But the 28-year-old decided against showing up for the photo opportunity, leaving Benn on his own. Garcia was quick to poke fun at the Brit and clearly had better things to do. In a story uploaded to his millions of followers on Instagram, the welterweight champion explained his absence.

He opted to stick his feet up and play video games instead of clashing with his rival. "Nice relaxing time as Conor wastes time showing up to a face-off," said Garcia. "Back to the sauna you go, sausage getting cooked every way."

After Benn realised his opponent would not be turning up, the British star engaged in a pretend face-off with his dad Nigel, before addressing those in attendance. "I apologise for Ryan doing what Ryan does and bottling it. We turn up, we're here, ready for the face-off," he said. "Come Saturday, he's in for a war."

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But fans were quick to speculate Garcia's absence on social media. Earlier this week, the welterweight sensation appeared drained in an interview - with fans believing he is having trouble making the 147lb limit. "Damn he looks so drawn out compared to going into the @Realdevinhaney fight…that’s crazy," said one fan. Another wrote: "Bro looks almost worse than Conor lmao both these dudes should have just made the fight at 154." A third replied: "Ryan is currently in a Sauna trying to make weight."

Before trading leather on Saturday night, they will get the chance to trade verbal jabs at the pre-fight press conference on Thursday evening, before colliding one final time on Friday evening at the weigh-ins.

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