Conor Benn Labels Ryan Garcia ‘An Influencer,’ Not A Fighter

“He’s like a big child. He’s like a spoiled brat. Throws his toys out of the pram on social media throwing little tantrums. I’m not really too concerned about this little influencer to my right. He ain’t a fighter. He can say whatever he wants. Ain’t going to make no difference come September the 12th. Proven. Twelve-round war proven. I don’t quit. I don’t stay down,” Benn said about Ryan.

Garcia wasn’t interested in letting the comments slide. Interrupting Benn several times, he insisted the challenger wouldn’t survive the distance.

“He’s not going to make it to 12. There’s not going to be a 12-round war. I promise you that. He’s not good enough. He’s not good enough to beat me. You think this man’s going to beat me? You think I’m going to let a guy from the UK come here and beat me and take my belt? You lost your mind,” Ryan said.

Benn later dismissed Ryan’s insults and said the championship means far more to him than settling a grudge.

“I take it with a pinch of salt. I couldn’t care less what he says. It really don’t bother me. He talks a lot of talk, but ultimately it’s getting that title, claiming that number one spot,” Benn said.

Ryan’s massive social media following has driven his popularity as much as his ring accomplishments, making Benn’s “influencer” label a deliberate attempt to question his credibility as a fighter. Garcia will have the chance to answer that criticism on September 12 when he makes the first defense of his WBC welterweight title against the British challenger in Las Vegas.