“If I look at his career, he’s only fought guys that are on the way out. He’s never fought a young, hungry, talented fighter. This is actually his first time ever doing it,” Ryan said about Conor during today’s press conference. “We’re going to see what he has. He’s rushed into this position, so we’re going to show him what happens when you rush into something you’re not ready for. And this is a promise.”

Benn’s most recognizable victories have come against Chris Eubank Jr., Regis Prograis, Chris Algieri, Chris Van Heerden and Adrian Granados. Garcia’s criticism focuses on the age and timing of many of those opponents. Prograis was 37, while Algieri, Van Heerden and Granados were all veteran fighters well past the prime years of their careers.

Ryan is using those names to portray Benn’s record as carefully constructed rather than proven against elite opposition in its prime.

Benn responded by attacking Ryan’s own route into the fight. He pointed to his decision loss to Rolando “Rolly” Romero last year before receiving an opportunity to win the WBC welterweight title against Mario Barrios.

That criticism does not erase Garcia’s argument about Benn. The British contender has not competed at the traditional 147-pound limit since 2022, yet he is moving directly into his first world title fight without defeating a ranked welterweight.

Benn has beaten recognizable opponents, but Garcia represents a different test. He is younger, faster, and more dangerous than the aging fighters Benn has recently faced.