Ryan Garcia and Conor Benn meet in an intriguing showdown on Saturday, and ahead of the action, Zuffa Boxing CEO Dana White has shared his thoughts on the affair.
Garcia got his hands on his first world title when he defeated Mario Barrios back in February, flooring the Texan in the first round on route to a one-sided unanimous-decision victory at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
This weekend, Garcia returns to that same venue for his first fight as a world champion, as he seeks to defend his title against Britain’s Benn and tee up a rumoured unification clash with newly-crowned WBA 147lb champion Teofimo Lopez.
Speaking to ESPN, White said that a statement win for ‘King Ry’ could see him become the ‘face of boxing’.
“Benn is a big star in the UK, Garcia just won the title and is a big star here. So, this is one of those fights that, if Garcia can win this fight in spectacular fashion, this guy could be the face of boxing.
“If Benn pulls off the upset, people that he is the big underdog in this thing, he will be a massive superstar in the UK.
“Realistically, when you look at boxing now, boxing has become a very European sport. All of the big fighters and all of the big fights always happen over there, American boxing has plummeted in the last 10 years.
“So, we have got to put on good fights, sign the best talent and rebuild boxing in the United States.”
Benn will be hoping to earn the win and end any hopes of Garcia becoming the face of boxing, as the Brit looks to build on his rematch victory over Chris Eubank Jr in November, along with his triumph against Regis Prograis back in April.
