Ryan Garcia has threatened to slap Conor Benn at their final pre-fight press conference or during the weigh-ins, risking cancellation of their WBC welterweight title fight on Saturday night in Las Vegas.
Garcia will make the first defence of his WBC welterweight title against Benn, who is seeking to become a world champion for the first time, 34 years after his father Nigel won a world title.
Garcia's warning
Speaking at a media day on Wednesday, Garcia referenced Benn's altercation with Chris Eubank Jr, saying: "He's already got slapped with an egg. So, it's like 'I cannot do it again.' Maybe with some ham or some salami. If he does some stupid s***, he will get slapped. If he wants to get stupid, he will get slapped. I do not give a f*** if the fight gets cancelled, I will slap the s*** out of him if he does something crazy."
Response to Benn's comments
The 28-year-old Mexican-American also responded to Benn's criticism of his Spanish-speaking ability and claims that Benn is more Mexican than Garcia. "It's definitely given me a more intense level of focus," Garcia said. "So it kind of backfired on him. He's going to see Saturday night how many Mexicans really ride with me."
He added: "He could be talking all that s***. He's believing those comments. But come Saturday night, my people will come out for me. They will see who walks out with me. He's going to be in a shocker. I'm going to make sure to show him what type of person I am. He's going to realise, 'Oh s***. This f***** is really Mexican.'"
Fight week antics
Garcia has escalated the mind games throughout fight week, having been a no-show for a scheduled face-off on Tuesday, leaving Benn alone. Garcia admitted his absence was nothing to worry about and that he "wasn't there" because he "didn't want to be." The two fighters are expected to meet at their pre-fight press conference on Thursday evening.
