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

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.

But despite turning his back on Eddie Hearn and Matchroom, you can't deny that Zuffa Boxing isn't getting Conor Benn the opportunities he craves.

His first fight was on the undercard of Tyson Fury's return to the ring in April and now he's fighting for his first world title against Ryan Garcia.

A wise move?

Image source, Getty Images

All of that Conor Benn, Zuffa Boxing and Eddie Hearn drama was great, wasn't it?

Benn opted to sign for Zuffa Boxing in April despite being with Matchroom since turning pro.

Hearn, who learned of Benn's decision via email from the Briton's lawyer, said he made a "mistake" in trusting Benn.

"I got an email from Conor's lawyer and that was the first dagger in the heart," Hearn told the 5 Live Boxing with Steve Bunce podcast.

"I blame myself a little bit in the sense that I didn't push him to sign a new contract."

He added: "I literally died on a hill for him."

Image source, Getty Images

No real fireworks in the opening three rounds here but Opetaia is looking comfortable.

He did take a nasty head to the eye in the opening round, causing a decent bit of swelling but the corner have done a good job on it.

Mikaelian gets a ticking off for landing one after the bell there.