Ryan Garcia demolishes Benn in 2, calls out Lopez and Haney — SkimNews
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- Ryan Garcia demolished Conor Benn in two rounds to make the first defense of his WBC welterweight title Saturday at a sold-out T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Mexican Independence Day Weekend.
- Garcia (26-2, 21 KOs) called out WBA titleholder Teofimo Lopez Jr. — who tried to rush the ring but was held back by security — and WBO titleholder Devin Haney for a rematch of their 2024 bout (originally a Garcia decision later changed to a no contest after a failed postfight drug test).
- The card generated a live gate of more than $8 million for co-promoters The Ring, Zuffa Boxing, and Golden Boy Promotions.
- Garcia has reunited with father Henry Garcia as head trainer after a 2024 drug suspension and a lifeless 2025 loss to Rolando "Rolly" Romero, capping a personal rebuild that included a live Christian worship band playing in his locker room pre-fight.
- Light heavyweight and cruiserweight champion David Benavidez entered the ring on the same card to tease a superfight with Jai Opetaia, who had stopped WBC titleholder Noel Mikaelian.
- The moment comes amid a star-power void in boxing: Terence Crawford is retired, Canelo Alvarez is in his "twilight," and Gervonta "Tank" Davis has been inactive 18 months amid legal troubles.
Why it matters: With Crawford retired, Canelo aging, and Tank Davis sidelined, boxing lacked a clear lead star and promoters lacked cornerstone matchups for the next 12 months. Garcia's sold-out T-Mobile Arena card, $8 million gate, and immediate calls to Teofimo Lopez and Devin Haney address both needs on a single night.
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