Kal Sajad
BBC Sport boxing journalist at T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas

Conor Benn said at the weigh-in that he was getting “Ricky Hatton in Vegas vibes”.

Erm, that might be stretching things a touch.

There are pockets of travelling British fans and they have made themselves heard, but this is nothing like the thousands who followed Hatton across the Atlantic. Not even close.

Barry Jones
Former world champion on DAZN

The thing is that losing doesn't make you a bad fighter, [if facing] a puncher with the speed and power of Ryan Garcia, that's a risk.

But you'll feel as if you have left yourself down. Your marketability will drop, and all the things people have been saying, questioning his level because of who he boxed and when he boxed them will all become more relevant than if he wins.

But if he puts up a good performance, if he goes through the rounds, he's in the fight, which he's tenacious and capable of doing, then win, or lose, he comes away with some credit. And, also shows that he is genuinely world class.

David Benavidez is IN the ring. He shakes hands with Jai Opetaia and they want to fight next.

My word, that is what you call a superfight.

Nope, you haven't missed the main event...

Sean Garcia - the younger brother of tonight's headliner Ryan, beat Abraham Morales earlier by majority decision.

The 25-year-old knocked down Morales in the third round, and also received a points deduction in the fifth round for holding but came through 56-56, 58-54 and 58-54 on the scorecards.

Lightweight Garcia takes his record to eight wins, one defeat and one draw.

Image source, Zuffa Boxing

Tony Bellew
Retired world champion on DAZN

If Ryan Garcia gets beat by Conor Benn, Benn shows that he is at that level.

He has not shown anything remotely close to being at this level yet.

This is basically his coming out party to show that he's a world class fighter.

You know what that means, it's Ryan Garcia v Conor Benn NEXT.

Conor Benn must have a revolving door on his changing room...

Retired three-weight undisputed champion Terence Crawford, WBA welterweight champion Teofimo Lopez and British rapper Stormzy are among those to have paid him a visit tonight.

Image source, Zuffa Boxing

Image source, Zuffa Boxing

A stunning performance by cruiserweight king Opetaia ends in a ninth-round knockout and it's a brutal left hook to do the job.

Is David Benavidez making his way to the ring now?...

In 2024, Ryan Garcia was handed a shot at WBC light-welterweight champion Devin Haney but he missed weight and was not eligible to claim the belt after picking up a decision victory.

That result was later overturned to a no-contest; Garcia was also handed a one-year suspension after failing a drug test.

Garcia lost to Rolly Romero on his return in May 2025 but bounced back with a decision win over Barrios in February to claim his first world title.

Image source, Getty Images

In 2023, Conor Benn was suspended from boxing for failing two voluntary drug tests.

His ban was lifted by the National Anti-Doping Panel, although he remained suspended by the UK Anti-Doping Agency (Ukad) and was unable to fight in the UK.

He fought twice in the United States - beating Rodolfo Orozco and Peter Dobson - before his ban was eventually lifted following a two-year battle with Ukad and the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC).

Benn's first fight back in the UK ended in defeat against Chris Eubank Jr in April 2025, but he avenged what remains his sole career loss seven months later.

Despite being ranked at number one by the WBC, this is Conor Benn's first fight at welterweight since 2022 - when he stopped Chris van Heerden.

Benn's five fights since then have all been at weights higher than the 147lb welterweight limit.

So, this begs the question - does Benn deserve a shot at Ryan Garcia's WBC welterweight title?

Image source, Getty Images

Ryan Garcia makes the first defence of his WBC welterweight title tonight.

This is the first time Conor Benn, who is ranked number one by the WBC, will compete for a world title as he looks to emulate his father, Nigel.

Teofimo Lopez holds the WBA belt, with Liam Paro in possession of the IBF title and Devin Haney reigning as WBO champion.

Image source, Getty Images

It's a bit of a change for Conor Benn tonight. His previous three fights were at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in front of 60,000 people.

Now he's in Las Vegas in front of 20,000.

Regardless of who is there, the goal remains the same.

Image source, Getty Images

We're about to go into the seventh round now and it's all Opetaia. He's completely dominating this fight and beating Mikaelian up if I'm being honest.

David Benavidez is in the house. What a fight it'd be if he stepped in the ring with Opetaia.

Josh Taylor
Former undisputed light-welterweight champion to BBC Sport

If Ryan had the right mentality and trained properly, the main word being if, I think he stops Conor Benn within six.

If not, I think Conor gets through the 12 rounds but loses on points by a few rounds.

Prediction - Garcia

Ready for it.

Image source, Zuffa Boxing

Image source, Zuffa Boxing

Boos as Conor Benn appears on the big screen while getting the tools wrapped.

Not long to go now.

Image source, Zuffa Boxing

Kal Sajad
BBC Sport boxing journalist at T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas

We're just one fight away from the main event and I’d say the 20,000-capacity T-Mobile Arena is around two-thirds full - maybe more.

It will be interesting to see how close we get to a sell-out by the time Conor Benn and Ryan Garcia make their ring walks.

There have not been many obvious signs of travelling British support, though. No sea of Union Jacks and when Benn appeared on the big screen a few moments ago, he was met with huge jeers.

Garcia, meanwhile, has a worship choir singing for him in his dressing room.

Devin Haney has just taken his seat next to Terence Crawford at ringside.

Safe to say Ryan Garcia and Haney aren't the best of friends.