Ryan Garcia challenges Mario Barrios for the WBC Welterweight World title next weekend in Las Vegas. Conor Benn, mandatory challenger for the winner, seems to have finally settled on a prediction.
Barrios took the vacant title in June of 2025 after it was vacated by Terence Crawford. He has retained twice, though through draws against Abel Ramos and a returning Manny Pacquaio.
The challenger made his welterweight debut in May last year following a year’s doping ban. He was dropped and beaten over the distance by Rolando Romero, but was somehow mandated for this fight by the WBC.
Benn, who has made no secret that he will target the winner to win the same green and gold belt that his father Nigel so proudly boasted, was confident in January of a Garcia win.
“I’ll be there ringside and I want the winner. No doubt [it will be] Garcia. So, Garcia-Benn – I like the sound of that.”
Speaking on social media today, however, the Brit revealed he is now backing Barrios to retain via stoppage.
“You lot think I’m joking… I bet any money Barrios stops Garcia. I bet you any money. I’m not even joking. [Garcia] is gonna fumble the bag. Barrios, any money, stops Garcia. I am 100% confident. Taking bets.”
Whether or not it’s mind games targetting Garcia – who Benn has said he would prefer to face over Barrios – remains to be seen. Barrios has not recorded a stoppage win since beating Jovanie Santiago in February of 2023.
Benn’s prediction will hold some legitimacy in the eyes of fans, however, given Garcia’s two losses coming at the top level against Gervonta Davis and ‘Rolly’ Romero. He has been known to blow hot and cold, and has worried fans with erratic behaviour in the lead-up to fights, the best example of which came before he faced Devin Haney, missing weight and ultimately failing a doping test to see his victory ultimately overturned.
With the fight now just seven days out, there isn’t long before we find out whether or not there will be a shift in the division with ‘King Ryan’ finally fulfilling his superstar promise and becoming a world champion. On the other hand, he may prove his status as this generation’s nearly man.