Ryan Garcia vs Conor Benn Announcement Delayed by Contract Issues

Dan Rafael reports paperwork involving Garcia’s side remains unfinished, postponing the official launch of the proposed September 12 title fight

Ryan Garcia’s proposed WBC welterweight title defense against Conor Benn was not announced Friday after unresolved contract issues on Garcia’s side delayed the launch, according to veteran boxing journalist Dan Rafael. The paperwork must be completed before promoters can officially unveil one of boxing’s most anticipated fights.

“Still issues on Golden Boy/Garcia/DAZN side so no announcement yet even though the fighters & Zuffa Boxing PR team were on hand anticipating it was to have happened at Friday’s weigh-in, per sources,” Rafael said on X.

Rafael added that the announcement was never going to move forward until every agreement had been finalized.

“Paper not done & they weren’t going to announce until it was DONE. Benn side is done.”

If the remaining issues are resolved, Rafael said the promotion intends to hold a kickoff press conference in New York next week around Zuffa Boxing’s July 26 card at Madison Square Garden.

The proposed matchup would headline a September 12 event in Las Vegas, with Ryan defending his WBC welterweight title against Benn. Negotiations have been complicated by Garcia’s ties to Golden Boy Promotions and DAZN, while Benn is now aligned with Zuffa Boxing, leaving the promotional structure and broadcast arrangements to be finalized before the fight can be officially announced.

Ryan and Benn made brief appearances during the UFC 329 festivities but spent much of the event on the sidelines as the expected announcement failed to materialize.

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