Garcia and Benn trade barbs at heated pre-fight press conference
Ryan Garcia ate a boiled egg during a news conference, referencing Conor Benn's past doping case. Benn remained composed and focused on the fight. They meet on Saturday for the WBC welterweight title at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
The egg reference traces to Benn's 2022 positive tests for clomifene, which the WBC later suggested could be explained by elevated egg consumption. Garcia himself served a doping suspension after testing positive for ostarine following his 2024 bout with Devin Haney, with both fighters denying knowingly taking banned substances.
Theatrical elements extended beyond the egg. Benn wore a bullet-proof style vest, while WBA welterweight champion Teofimo Lopez appeared in the crowd disguised with a fake beard before revealing himself. Security confiscated a second egg Garcia had pocketed, recalling last year's incident when Chris Eubank Jr slapped Benn with one.
The pre-fight theatrics could draw casual viewers who might otherwise ignore boxing, potentially expanding the sport's audience through social media engagement. However, the repeated doping references may also reinforce public skepticism about boxing's integrity, as both fighters have faced banned substance allegations. Younger fans following Garcia's large social media presence could see the spectacle as entertainment, while purists may worry the sport's credibility is being undermined by showmanship over athletic merit.