Security separate Benn and Garcia at heated media day

Security stepped in to stop Conor Benn from confronting Ryan Garcia during a heated news conference in New York on Thursday.

The welterweights, set to meet on 12 September at a venue yet to be announced, had to be kept apart as tensions escalated at the media day event. BBC Sport reports that security intervened before the British fighter could reach Garcia, who holds the WBC interim welterweight title.

What sparked the Benn-Garcia confrontation

The clash comes three days after the fight was officially announced. Benn has been seeking a high-profile opponent since his controversial positive test for clomifene in 2022 derailed a scheduled bout with Chris Eubank Jr. Garcia, meanwhile, has fought sporadically since his 2024 win over Devin Haney was ruled a no-contest following his own failed drug test.

Both fighters bring baggage to the matchup. Benn remains unlicensed by the British Boxing Board of Control, while Garcia served a one-year suspension and forfeited his victory over Haney after testing positive for ostarine.

The September date gives both camps three months to prepare. No broadcast details have been confirmed.

Source: bbc.co.uk