The noise started a long time ago, and it will only get louder in the days before the first bell sounds to leave Conor Benn and Ryan Garcia in the ring on their own. Benn and Garcia are not the two best welterweights in the world, but they are the two highest-profile welterweights in the world; Benn has his reputation as a relentless fighter, and Garcia holds the WBC welterweight title. They have both been at the centre of drug stories; in short, they are perfectly matched for a showdown in Las Vegas on 12 September. Garcia holds the WBC title, having won it earlier this year in a poor figh with Mario Barrios, and Benn won and lost in massive fights against Chris Eubank Jr last year in a much higher weight category. Garcia insists he knows too much; Benn insists he will be too strong. They have equal and impressive pulling power at the box office; their celebrity status is not up for dispute. Ryan Garcia (left) and Conor Benn chirping at each other at their press conference (Getty)Benn beat Eubank Jr in their rematch last November in front of more than 60,000 fans, then dropped 10lb and looked unimpressive against Regis Prograis in April. In fairness, there were excessive pressures surrounding that fight – rumours of a $15m payday through new promoters Zuffa – and Benn seemed understandably distracted. As a side note, Benn has not stopped a boxer since April 2022 when he halted veteran Chris Van Heerden in the second. Van Heerden never fought again. That was the last fight before Benn’s drug situation was revealed, leading to a three-year campaign to clear his name. Benn was never fined or banned. Garcia was both fined and banned when he tested positive for Ostarine after beating Devin Haney in April 2024; Haney was dropped three times on his way to a clear points loss, but the fight was declared a no contest after Garcia was busted. Haney, one of the other champions at welterweight, is arguably the best in the division. However, Haney is not a box-office attraction. Garcia and Benn are the attractions, two of the biggest in the modern boxing business. Garcia’s boxing life up until the Haney fight was not without controversy; in 2023, fighting at a much lighter poundage, he was dropped and stopped against Gervonta Davis. The fight did impressive business, but it has always been a mystery why Garcia has not received more criticism for his selective performance on the night. Garcia took a knee and was counted out in his first loss, a defeat by Gervonta Davis (Getty)Enjoy 185+ fights a year on DAZN, the Global Home of BoxingNever miss a fight from top promoters. Watch on your devices anywhere, anytime.Buy NowADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.Enjoy 185+ fights a year on DAZN, the Global Home of BoxingNever miss a fight from top promoters. Watch on your devices anywhere, anytime.Buy NowADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.He will fight Benn in a weight category 22lb heavier. Benn’s best win, the rematch victory over Eubank Jr, was over 30lb above Garcia’s weight in his stoppage loss to Davis. Those are worrying numbers for a fighter with a drug black mark against his name. “He quit once, he will quit again,” Benn said at the launch. It is one of boxing’s ancient maxims. Benn against Garcia is a wonderful fight, a mix of knowns and unknowns, a blend of determination and power against pedigree and speed. Benn is two years older; Garcia has the amateur background that Benn lacks, but he turned professional at just 17. Benn looked sluggish at times against Prograis earlier this year; Garcia was dropped and looked confused at times when he lost to Rolando Romero for the WBA title last year. Prograis and Romero are not dangerous fighters, not the type of fighter you avoid. Benn failed to impress in his win over a retiring Regis Prograis (PA)Both Benn and Garcia have been guided with care and sense to this point in their careers. Now, they can really make some money. Often in the boxing business, the best fights are not necessarily between the two best boxers at their weight – that is a longstanding truth. Benn against Garcia will be exceptional, thrilling, ugly, controversial on the night, and a rematch looks likely. It is that type of fight. Still, it will be a lot of fun.