This weekend in Las Vegas, Ryan Garcia and Mario Barrios will fight for the WBC welterweight world title. It looks like Conor Benn, the mandatory winner’s contender, has finally settled on his prediction.
Barrios took over the vacant title in June 2025 after being vacated by Terence Crawford. He retained the squad twice, albeit after draws with Abel Ramos and the returning Manny Pacquaio.
The fighter made his welterweight debut in May last year after a one-year doping ban. He was dropped and beaten at the distance by Rolando Romero, but was somehow cleared for this fight by the WBC.
Benn, who made no secret of the fact that his goal would be to win the same green and gold belt that his father Nigel proudly boasted about, was confident of Garcia’s victory in January.
“I’ll be at ringside and I want the winner. Without a doubt [it will be] Garcia. So, Garcia-Benn – I like the sound of this.
However, today on social media the Briton revealed that he is currently supporting Barrios in keeping the team going after the break.
“You think I’m joking… I’ll bet you any money, Barrios will stop Garcia. I’ll bet you any money. I’m not even joking.” [Garcia] will rummage in the bag. Barrios, any money, stops Garcia. I’m 100% sure. Accepting bets.
It remains to be seen whether these will be mind games aimed at Garcia – who Benn said he would rather face than Barrios. Barrios hasn’t recorded a win in stoppage time since defeating Jovanie Santiago in February 2023.
Benn’s prediction will be justified in the eyes of fans, however, given Garcia’s two top-level losses to Gervonta Davis and “Rolly” Romero. He has been known to fly balmy and chilly and disturb fans with his erratic behavior before fights, a prime example of which was when he faced Devin Haney, losing weight and ultimately failing a drug test, which ultimately led to his victory being overturned.
There are only seven days left until the fightwe’ll soon find out if there will be a change in the division and “King Ryan” will finally fulfill his superstar promise of becoming world champion. On the other hand, he can prove his status as almost a man of this generation.