Garcia vs Benn: Ryan Garcia skips first face-off with Conor Benn in Las Vegas

Ryan Garcia was a no-show for his first face-off with Conor Benn on Tuesday before their world title fight this weekend in Las Vegas.

The American was scheduled to attend a photo opportunity, but skipped it to leave Benn appearing alone.

Benn, 29, did have the company of his father, boxing legend Nigel Benn, who pretended to face off with his son.

After joking around with his dad, Benn said Garcia "didn't turn up".

"I apologise for Ryan doing what Ryan does and bottling it. We turn up, we're here, ready for the face-off," he said.

Garcia defends his WBC welterweight title at the T-Mobile Arena in Benn's first world championship bout.

The 28-year-old is the favourite for the contest and after failing to attend the first face-off of fight week, Garcia mocked Benn on Instagram.

"Nice relaxing time as Conor wastes time showing up to a face-off," he said.

"Back to the sauna you go, sausage getting cooked every way."

They are due to meet twice before fight night with the news conference on Thursday and the weigh-in on Friday.

Much has been made of Benn's weight cut for this contest, with the Briton having not fought at 10st 7lb (67kg) since 2022.

Benn had two fights with Chris Eubank Jr at middleweight before a 10st 12lb (69kg) catchweight against Regis Prograis in April.

Garcia has fought at lightweight and light-welterweight – missing weight for his light-welterweight contest against Devin Haney in 2024 – but is not expected to have issues with the weight, while Benn has said he does not intend to stay long at welterweight.

King tries to stop Mikaelian v Opetaia bout

In the co-main event on Saturday, Jai Opetaia is fighting Noel Mikaelian in a cruiserweight bout.

Mikaelian is the WBC champion, but could be stripped of the belt after withdrawing from his bout against the mandatory challenger in favour of facing the Australian.

Saturday's fight is further complicated by promoter Don King, who claims he has an exclusive deal with Mikaelian.

The veteran American promoter has sent a cease-and-desist letter to Zuffa Boxing and demanded the fight be cancelled.

Confirming Zuffa Boxing had received the legal letter, Dana White insisted the bout would be going ahead as planned.

"[Jai's] fighting this weekend," White said on Tuesday.

"I've always had good dealings with Don (King). When have you ever seen a scenario with us where we go and try to interfere with someone's contract?

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