RYAN GARCIA & CONOR BENN GET HEATED! 🔥 | Mr Verzace Podcast | EP.30

Welcome back to the Mr. Versace podcast.I'm your host, Mr. Versace himself, Rick Reno, and joining me today are the two combatants that are going to collide in the next couple of months in one of the biggest fights this year, September the 12th in the T -Mobile arena in Las Vegas, live and exclusive on Paramount Plus globally and in the UK and Ireland on The Zone.King Rye, Ryan Garcia defending his WBC welterweight championship against the mandatory challenger, the destroyer, Conor Ben.Conor, I'll start with you first.Mexican Independence Day weekend.You're heading to Las Vegas.

Some people may view it as Ryan's home court.Any reservations about fighting across the pond?

I'm not concerned in the slightest.I mean, it doesn't bother me at all.I've fought in the States before.No concern at all.Listen, all that matters is what's in that ring.That's all that matters to me.

You know, everything else is just noise.But, you know, ultimately, we want to put on a good fight for the fans.That's really what I'm here to do.

Do you think for this event, this will be your fourth time in the States?Third time.Third time?Third time in the States, yeah.Do you expect some of those Ben fans to cross the pond?

Of course, no doubt.Yeah, yeah, I've had people follow me my whole career, you know, from the start, seeing 10 years in.10 years of hard work, 10 years from a novice to now where I'm challenging for a world title.So it's been nothing short of a blessing, my journey.And ultimately, I feel like it's his destiny for me.

Ryan, on your end, you've been pretty confident in saying, this guy can't beat me.I was watching a video the other day where you said, you know, I'm going to watch a little tape of Conor Benn.After one round, you said, that's all I needed to see.You were convinced just off that one round, I know what's going to happen.What do you see that some of the other people may not see that makes you that confident this is going to be all Ryan Garcia?

I mean, I see a lot of things, you know, that when he's fighting that I could take advantage of.I'm not going to give into details, but I think I just have a lot more experience than him at this point.I think that he's very ferocious and he puts in a lot of effort, but I definitely see that where he's lacking and I know I could take advantage of it without a doubt.

I mean, there's been some questions that, you know, he hasn't fought in the welterweight limit for a very long time.You know more about making weight than I would know.Do you think it's going to be a struggle for him to get down to 147?

I mean, he seems like a pretty big guy.It's just the fact that he went to 160 and now he's going to shoot all the way down to 47.He did it once, I guess, with Regis 149.But those two pounds when you're cutting your weight is much more than you think.But I overheard, I didn't overhear, but I seen an interview of his coach saying that he only has six weeks to lose the weight.So.

That may play a part.I mean, I want him at his strongest, I'm just saying.But I think he's going to struggle with his making weight.Maybe he won't.Maybe, you know, maybe he will.

Was it a case, Conor, the last time out, you didn't have enough time to properly do the cut like you would do if you had a couple of more weeks?

I remember I'd been walking around at 170, 175 to 180 pounds for the past three years.I had six weeks to make 149, 150.I'd done it.And you know why I'd done it?Because I'm disciplined.That's why I've done it and this is why I'll continue to prove why I'm in this position.

You know, because I'm disciplined, because I can do it.You know, so for me, getting down to 147, is it going to be gruelling?Is it going to be tough?Is it going to be hard?Of course it is, but I live for that.You know, I ain't no softy over here.

You know, I work hard.I train hard.That's why I could have two years out of the ring and jump straight in with Eubank at 160 in the stadium.That's why I could come back and dominate him again in the second fight, because of the discipline.And that's where I'm at now.And discipline will continue to prevail.

And that's why we'll make 147.And that's why we'll take that belt home.

Now, you looked good in your last fight at 160.What made you say to yourself to go to 47 rather than 54?Because there were also some big fights you could have made at 154.

They're big guys.They're big guys.You know, when you're in the ring with Eubank, he's a big guy, you know, sparring light heavyweights.They're big men.Do you know what I mean?So fighting Regis was like a It was a run out fight, six weeks notice, and if that's what you're going off of, Ryan, obviously you're going off of the Regis fight.

Obviously you are, because you weren't calling my name after the Eubank fight.Why would I call your name?You're 160.What would be the point of calling your name?

I said I was dropping back down.

I didn't know that.You knew I was dropping back down.

I just know that if I didn't 160, there would be no reason.

The WBC mandated me for number one position.I was supposed to fight Barrios.

So you won a 165 and then you got mandated at 47?That makes no sense.I don't know why you're talking to me, but I got made.

That's what happened.

That's why you're fighting me.

It wasn't a choice.It wasn't a choice.It wasn't like you went, oh, look, I'm going to pick you.I was mandated.

You don't think I could have fought Devin Haney or anybody?I could have fought whoever I wanted to fight.

Yeah, but let's not talk about Haney because Haney won't fight you.I'm just saying.Let's not talk about Haney.Let's not talk about Haney.

I mean, I'm just saying.

Let's not talk about him.I'm here right now.And this is who you're fighting.But you weren't calling my name at all.

It wasn't the Regis fight.It was just the fact that...

OK, well, listen, listen.If he's banking on my last fight...only as good as your last fight you say it's six weeks to get my weight down that was that that was the fight that was the fight and you know what I've done it well you know I made weight okay you know so no doubt I made 147 no problem.

You know he does make a point about sometimes people say you're only as good as your last fight but if people would have said that about you going into the Barrios fight A lot of people would have lost a lot of money.

100%.That's what I'm saying.I'm not going off the Regis fight.I just told him that.I just think that overall, his whole package, him at his best too, I feel like I will beat him.That's why I said I want him at his best.

I just said he may struggle to get to the weight.I don't know if that's the cause for the Regis, you know, performance.

Yeah.

But I'm just saying what overall I see, I know I can beat him.And now that's something we're going to have to prove come Saturday, you know, September 12th.

I mean, last time me and you sat down, you actually said, you know, we brought up the possibility of fighting Conor and you said that would be a perfect fight for me next.

Yeah, literally.I've been saying that, you know, it's not something that's kind of came to my mind newly off the Regis fight.I've always known he would be one of the big fights.You know, he's a big star in the UK.And, you know, every time you get the UK versus the US, it's always big.

In terms of his style, did you say to yourself, that is a very good style for me?

I mean, I just think that it's not so much the style.To make a good fight.For sure.You know, he's going to be coming.You know, I never start off really slow in my fights.So, you know, we're going to get a cracking off the first bell.

I already know what it is, you know, so I'm ready for, you know, to get right away, start right away.It's going to boom right when the bell rings, we're going to be going.

And the last time we sat down, Connor, you explained to me about how it was a dream for you to go for that WBC title.to get the type of accomplishment.your father had gotten during his career.Now you've grasped it.Because at first I know during that time period we sat down, you weren't sure, is it going to happen?Is it not going to happen?

Now it looks like it's happening.How does that feel now inside?Like I've reached that point that I thought about when I turned pro.Now it's here.

Yeah, I mean, listen, it's a blessing.I sit down and I pinch myself.you know, to do three stadium shows back home and then come to America to challenge the champion for the belt, you know, in Vegas, it's only, it's what fighters dream of.It's what young fighters coming through in the game dream of achieving, you know, to avenge a loss, a win of a family feud that's been going on for years, over 30 years, to then challenge for a WBC world title straight away and drop back down from 160 and get the belt.Yeah, it's history right there.So for me, you know, there's fuel to the fire.

You know, and I think everyone's writing me off in this fight.But, you know, if I believe what everyone else said about me, I wouldn't be where I am right now.I would not be sitting here right now if I believe what everyone else said about me.

And Ryan, to that point, the same for you.When this fight was being made, there was a lot of politics involved.Obviously, you're on the DAZN side of things.Also, Golden Boy's involved.Conor's reserved for boxing.You have Paramount involved.

Were you, you know, almost getting a little, uh, paranoid it may not happen with all different political angles involved?

You know, it's funny.I never really got paranoid this time around.There's always drama whenever I'm trying to make a fight.I mean, it's been followed my whole career.Every time I'm trying to make something, either Oscar is saying something or, you know, people just want to stop shit sometimes.But, you know, I trusted my team.

I got a great manager in Lupe and, you know, everybody's, you know, if there's a will, there's a way.And, uh, I've showed that in the past before when I want to fight, it usually happens.

And, Conor, you've said that from the fights you've seen of Ryan, uh, one of the big, I would say, detriments to him, you think, is mental state of mind and his composure.Do you see that as two of the biggest, I guess, keys for you in the ring, if you could get him off his mental game?

I genuinely sit here, could not care less.what state of mind he's in, whether he's in a good state, bad state.I'm not here to be his carer.I'm not here to look after him.I'm not here to put my hand round him and tell him everything's going to be OK. I'm here to beat him up.I'm here to beat him up come September 12th and take his belt.

That's my job.And I do my job.You know, when I'm saying he quit, I would not take a knee and not get back up.You're going to have to render me unconscious and knock me out.

That's me.Yeah, we'll see.

Please don't tell me.No, it would just be hilarious when you're actually unconscious.

Yeah, please don't.And you don't have the opportunity to take a knee.That's going to be hilarious.You always say that.

Please don't tell me.

You always say that.

Please don't tell me.

It's easy to get you going, huh?

Yeah, please don't tell me. I'm going to put my fist straight through your face.Do you understand?I'm going to smash them glasses.Do you understand?Come try it again.Come try it again.

Listen, it's proven.It's proven.I'm not speculating.He takes a knee and don't get back up.That's not a fact.That's not speculating.

That's a fact.What I've proven is a big paradigm, a lot of that, and the will to win.And the will to win in the fight of the year up against a middleweight.Do you understand?A 36 -year -old middleweight.Do you understand?

That was Drain.Do you understand?

36 -year -old Drain middleweight.

Think all you want.

You keep lying to yourself all day long.If you think that was something that's going to prove yourself, I bet you do.

The guy that wasn't sharp, didn't have no reflexes anymore.Legs gone.He lost to a 36 -year -old.Lost to a 36 -year -old.

Was he 36?I don't know how old he is.You think I'm bothered about how old he is?You think I'm bothered about how old you are?

What's I got to do with anything?What are you talking about?It's boxing, right?

36, 37, 5, 4...Is Ronaldo as good as he was when he was younger?No.Listen, listen.I fight who I fight.

I fight who I fight.And I'll beat him.In a fight of the year.In a fight of the year.You ain't got the minerals to go there.

You don't have the balls to go there.

You just take the knee.You just take the knee.You just take the knee, but you just take the knee and don't get back up.That's it.That's it with Rowley, you just got outboxed outclassed, not bothered, nothing there.It was, it was boring.

Yeah, it was.

And then you magically got a world title shot.

How amazing is that?You magically got a world title shot.Yeah, so I could smash your head in.

So I could smash your head in and we're here now.

Listen, we're here now and I'm going to punch your head in.

We're here now.

When I say something, I'll stand on it.

When I say something, I mean it.

And I mean it, five rounds or less, I mean it, and I stand on that.You would not make it past five.

Yeah, but you talk shit anyway.I'm just telling you.Yeah, but you talk shit.I don't listen to what you're saying.I don't listen to people who quit.I don't listen to people who quit.

You have no minerals.You have no bulls.You have no werewolves.You have no werewolves.

You have no werewolves.

You know what that is?

Do you know what that is?Do you know what that is?Do you know what werewolves is?Do you know what werewolves is?All I care about is when you're down, I'm going to say bulldog.Exactly.

You don't know.You don't know.I'm pretty sure it falls.Well done.Thank you, man.Another round of applause for you.

Let's go.You just did.

No, Ryan, you've made it no secret that when you are showingin your mental game, you're unstoppable in there.I know heading into the Rolly fight, you said there were some issues and distractions that played into it.But heading into the Barrios fight, you said, watch what I do in this fight.My mind is on point.I'm on point in the gym.

It threw no punches.

It threw no punches.It was the speed.Oh, is that what it was?You're going to see right there.You're going to see, you're going to get hit and you're going to be like, what the hell just hit me?And it's going to happen over and over and over.

And then before you know it, you're going to get so angry that you're going to run into something bad and then you're going to be on the floor like, what happened?Then I'm going to finish you off.That's all that's going to happen.All right, cool.We'll see when your heart gets broken.

Got it.Let's see.And you don't get back up.Let's see just how much you can really take.And you quit.We're going to see how much you can really take.

All right, cool.We'll see.We'll see.Okay.

You were there, Connor Ringside.We were at you right next to each other.Did you see a big difference between what he did with Barrios?

No, Rowley was more active.Rowley was more on job.He was more, he was in there more to win the fight.Barrios coming off three draws, four draws, however many, you know, draw against Pacquiao, who's 50.Rowley didn't really come to win the fight.He was born to win the fight.

How was he winning?So it's like, if that's his greatest win, that's his greatest win.It's just what it was, bro.It was a lackluster fight.

Against somebody who's just coming off three, four draws.That's his greatest win.

Look it, man.He can talk all, I got hard, I got big cojones, all this.The brain can only take so much.All it gets is one hit and his lights are out.It doesn't matter how much tough you are, how strong you are, how much effort.One shot, you're out, and then that's it.

Boom.Nighttime.It don't matter how much part you have.

We'll see, we'll see, won't we?

September 24th, we'll see.We'll see.We'll see, won't we?We'll see.We'll see, won't we?

Boom.You have none of them.Sleep.You have none of them.Sleep.But you have none of them.

Cool.You have none of them.Nothing.

You have no minerals about you.

You have no minerals about you.

We'll see, we'll see.

You have no substance.

We will see, bro.We will see.You have nothing about you.I bet you I do.

I bet you I do.worried about a lightweight, taking blows at a middleweight.You think I'm worried about a lightweight?

Middleweight, a 36 year old.So where was your tough middleweight?

You think I'm bothered about a lightweight?Got you, got you.You think I'm worried about his left hook?

You got busted up by a lightweight, a smaller lightweight.Regis was coming up.

You think I'm worried about his left hook?

Hey numbnut, Regis was smaller.Or head clashes.

Numnut.

Head clashes, yeah, head clashes happen.

He was hitting you.Head clashes happen, yeah, he goes to him and you get wet.

That's fine.I don't quit.

I don't quit.That's it.Bing bing.That's it.

You were getting hit crazy, bro.

It was pretty sad to see.It is what it is. I get it.

He's mad that he was getting beat up by older ages.Lost to an old um, but to then Chris.I mean, he only beat old people.Chris Algeria was out the door like bro was only beat older fighters.

We'll see.We'll see.That's it.We'll see.We'll see.It's the arguing with like my son.

Ryan, they say when a guy wins a world title, it automatically elevates him in every way, whether it's his confidence, fighting ability.Do you feel a difference now that you have it as opposed to when you were chasing it?

Oh, yeah, for sure.When you have it, you don't want to lose it.You know, it's one thing to get it.But once you have it, it's like, all right, I want to get so far ahead they can't ever catch up.So, you know, he's the first challenger.So, you know, it's going to be it's exciting.

You know, as you see, it's a big fight already.You know, it's not like I took a challenge of, you know, somebody just regular.So I'm excited.

And Conor, you've said there are people that are overlooking you in this fight.What is it about you that you think people underestimate the most when you get in that ring?

I think people always underestimate me in my whole career, you know, and that's also completely fine.No amateur pedigree, you know, put on a big stage to perform.Some performances great, some performances not so great.Ultimately, I get to win and do what needs to be done to get the win, you know, but come September 12th, I want to highlight real knockout.

Is there anything that you see in Conor that he doesn't get enough credit for?

I just think that he's taking advantage of every you know opportunity he's had I mean he's explosive I mean he they give him credit for what he is you know I think he's a great effort pressure fighter but that's about it that's where it ends you know that's it yeah.

You know Mexican Independence Day weekend has been big in boxing whether it's been Oscar headlining Mayweather headlining Canelo Pacquiao if you do exactly what you say you're going to do Is that going to become the Ryan Garcia weekend?

It's a big opportunity for me for sure If all goes well, you would think that you know, so for me, I don't try to think too much of it Yeah, I just you know, I'm focused what's in front of me and if whatever happens after that is what it's meant to be if it's meant for me to take that day at all times and be the face of boxing and do all that, that's for what it's meant to be.So I just got to focus on what's in front of me.

And Conor, for you, would this be, I guess, that start of a U .S.campaign or not to look too far ahead, whichever opportunity will come first, that's where you're going to go.

Listen, I take the opportunities.I take the fights.When Alfred, me, you, Banker, 160 call, no problem.When Alfred, when Ryan got presented, no problem.I've been calling for the shot.I got my shot.

And when I shoot, I don't miss.

Now, has this become in any way personal as for you or is it just he's in your way of something you need to get?

He's in my way.This is nothing like you Bankfire.This is nothing like that was like a rivalry of 30 years of family feud.That was generational.This is me.just getting what I believe belongs to me.

This is me getting what I've worked hard for for the past 10 years.This is me fulfilling my legacy.This is me doing what I gotta do, you know?That's all it is.The more he talks, the more I wanna smack him in his face.

And and Ron, you know stranger trash -talking you and tank had to go you've had to go with a couple of other guys Does it ever get personal for you?Do you just see it as business as usual as part of the game?

The only time I ever got personal is Haney I think for for Connor here is just We both don't want to lose and you know, I just don't let people really talk shit them I'm gonna talk my shit back and If he wants to get physical, we could get physical.We're about to get physical September 12th.It really don't matter, bro.

Bro, you ain't about that.You ain't about that.You're not about that, please.Don't let the social media fool you, bro.If you actually tried to hit me, I would knock you the fuck out.I promise you I would.

You wouldn't do shit, man.You wouldn't do shit.Bet.Bro, you wouldn't do shit.Bet I would.You wouldn't do shit, bro.

You're a little fanny.I promise you I would.You wouldn't do nothing.You're a little fanny.I promise you I would.You're a little fanny.

I beat the shit out of way bigger people than you back in my day.You ain't doing nothing.I promise you I have.Back in what day?When I was younger, dumbass.What the fuck are you talking about?

What does back in the day mean, dumbass?What does back in the day mean, dumbass?Alright, I bet you I would.You don't know the switch.You don't know a switch.What switch, bro?

What switch?You've seen her in fucking High Heels, bro.I'm gonna take you serious.You've seen her in High Heels?You've seen her in High Heels?You look stupid.

You look like Top Ramen on the top of your head.Like, I'm about to eat some noodles, my boss.Like, just shut up.

I'm a bad man.

Alright, you're not a bad man.Who are you, though?Who are you?You were Silver Spoon, right?Correct?remember, I did this my whole life.

You chose the box.This is all I ever known.I started at seven.Exactly.And this is all I ever known.There's going to be a big difference in that ring.

You're going to see, I've seen way more patterns in boxes than you have.You just got here.

You just got here.Bro, you ain't about that life.Please stop talking about it.

You ain't about that life.You ain't about that life.Who made you about that life?You ain't about that life.What kind of life?Where did you come from?

I come from my dad's nutsack.That's where I come from.Cool.My dad's nutsack.Cool.Same thing.

What nutsack's that?

American nutsack.

American nutsack.UK nutsack.

Great.

What's better nutsack?What makes a better nutsack?Oh, you just say you're all Mexican and all that.

What are you talking about?You ain't got no heart, man.

You ain't got no whereabouts.You ain't got no chin.

Born with it bro, born with it, born with it.You ain't born with it, you ain't born with it.I'm born with it, I'm born with it.I'm a fighter, I'm a fighter.You're not a fighter, you rely on your talent.You don't work hard.

Hard work beats talent when talent don't work hard.You know that saying, right?

You know that saying, right?

You see why you've been partying?I've been working.Then it should be easy, right?

If I've been doing that, it should be easy, right?It should be easy.

When it ain't, then you're getting your ass split.We're going to see.Shut up.

Shut up.

You're a hypocrite.Shut up, you sausage.

You're a hypocrite.

media event, do you think if security wouldn't have stepped in, the two of you would have went at it right there and then?

I have no idea.We don't know what he's like.He, he, he loves the attention.He loves the show.We don't know what he's going to do.You're a little cloud demon.

He's a demon.He's a little cloud demon.I could see it in his eyes.It looks like a little gremlin.He's a little cloud demon.Like you could see it.

It's like a little cloud demon.

You have the brain of a five -year -old.You have that brain IQ of a five -year -old.Like, it's insane.My son's smarter than me.It's mental.I don't even know how you got here.

You are the biggest idiot I've ever met.

And I thought that'd be hard.

I thought that'd be hard after you've done it.But you've actually topped it.The top of the tree of idiots.Thank you.Top of the tree.

Number one champion idiot.Got it.

So in closing, Connor, sum up in one sentence on why you think Ryan Garcia loses this fight.

Because he just, he just has no heart, man. I just don't respect people who have no heart, who want to look for the easy way out.I just don't.I don't respect it.Is he talented?Is he athletic?Is he young?

Is he, you know, a marketing genius?Yeah, I'd give him that.But I'm a fighter, so when I put it on him in there, we'll see how he handles that.See how he handles the heat.Come meet me in the middle of the ring.Come meet me in the middle of the ring.

Bang on first round.Let's have a shootout.Let's do it.Let's have a shootout and we'll see who's still standing.That was about good.

And for your part, Ryan, sum up in one sentence why Conor loses this fight.

He's going to learn real quick how actually experienced I am in the ring.And when he's doing these things, he thinks they're going to throw me off.He's going to find out real quick.I have an answer for all of them.And as the round goes by, he's going to realize, damn, my level is just not here yet.You know, and he's going to come back and he's going to probably do really well.

But this is just too much for him.That's it.

Well, this has been a very fiery episode of the Mr. Versace podcast.And remember, this fight is one fight you can't miss. I expect bombs away from the very first round.September the 12th, T -Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada, Garcia and Ben collide in the ring live and exclusive on Paramount Plus globally and in the UK and Ireland on The Zone.Until next time.