At a fiery press conference Saturday at Fanatics Fest in New York, Garcia predicted he’ll make quick work of the Englishman. Security had to keep the two apart after they tried to go face-to-face in the middle of the promotional stop for their welterweight title fight on September 12 in Las Vegas.

“You’re going to get knocked out under five,“ Garcia said to Benn. “Five rounds is all it’s going to take.”

Garcia (25-2, 20 KOs) will make his first defense of the WBC 147-pound championship against Benn (25-1, 14 KOs) at T-Mobile Arena. Their bout, which will headline a Ring card, will be streamed by Paramount+ in the United States and DAZN in the UK and Ireland.

Garcia won the WBC welterweight title with a dominant unanimous decision over Mario Barrios on February 21 at T-Mobile. The Victorville, California, native dropped Barrios (29-3-2, 18 KOs) in the opening minute of their bout before coasting to his first victory since December 2023.

Garcia’s majority decision over rival Devin Haney in April 2024 was changed to a no-contest because he tested positive for ostarine, a banned substance.

Benn, 29, will have to boil down to 147 pounds for the first time since his second-round stoppage of Chris Van Heerden in April 2022. He last fought at a catchweight of 150 pounds when he won a unanimous decision over two-time 140-pound titleholder Regis Prograis in a 10-round fight on April 11.

“He’s only fought guys that are on the way out,“ Garcia said of Benn. “He’s never fought a young, hungry and talented fighter. This is actually his first time ever doing it. We’re going to see what he has. He’s rushed into this position, so we’re going to show him what happens when you rush into something you’re not ready for. This is a promise.”