As he prepares to defend his title against Conor Benn, WBC welterweight champion Ryan Garcia is presenting a more mature and focused version of himself and is asking his longtime promoter, Oscar De la Hoya, to stop what he calls contributing to the chaos that has traditionally followed “King Ry” throughout his career. 

Garcia, 25-2 (20 KOs), will meet Benn, 25-1 (14 KOs) in the 12-round main event of a fighting tribute to Mexican Independence Day, presented by Golden Boy Promotions in partnership with Zuffa Boxing and Ryan Garcia Promotions on September 12, 2026, broadcast live on Paramount+ and DAZN from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas

While Benn’s taunts led to security having to physically separate the two fighters at a recent press conference held at Fanatics Fest in New York City, Garcia says he’s dropping his more chaotic behavior hopes to calm the waters around him moving forward and wants De La Hoya, with whom Garcia has had a turbulent promotional relationship with for years, to do the same.

“I have a new sense of energy,” Garcia told Ariel Helwani, “A new sense of motivation, and it’s true when people say when you become world champion… it’s like in a video game, when you unlock an achievement. You just gain experience points off it. So, I feel like I’ve been upgraded and I’m super excited to continue my boxing career. More motivated than I ever have been. Everybody’s just giving me a new type of respect. So, it’s pretty crazy.”

The now 27-year-old Garcia says he’s hoping for an end to all the distractions and obstacles that have previously marred his focus.

“I’m definitely tired of it, man. I just want my career to be at a constant pace now, especially as a world champion. I would like some kind of structure that doesn’t have to be chaotic all the time, you know? Obviously I’ve fixed things that I had problems with that made my career chaotic. And now, I think I need the other side to do that. I’m training every day. I’m focused and I’m taking my craft very seriously. 

“…I just want a structured team that’s behind me and aren’t going to talk down on me if I’m on their team… I don’t understand why Oscar De la Hoya, would have to go on Instagram live and say, ‘nobody wants to watch this fight.’ It’s like, what is the point of that? Think about that!”

Referring to an Instagram live De La Hoya recorded earlier this month, where he was quoted as saying, “Nobody is asking for this fight. The fans are definitely not wanting this fight. And if it were up to me, I would have picked Devin Haney for the rematch — that’s a much bigger fight,” Garcia says he doesn’t understand the reasoning behind his remarks.

“Like, I’m your fighter. You shouldn’t say things like that. That doesn’t make sense. I have no problems with you. What is the point of saying that? To try to bash me and bring me down? That’s only going to make me go higher. I don’t understand what’s your problem, bro? It doesn’t make sense. But you know what? I’m going to let peace be peace and keep it moving forward. I’ve already dealt with this for how many years? This fight is huge. I just don’t understand why he would want to bash it.

“I don’t understand why you’re talking about it,” Garcia continued. “It’s like, bro, collect your check and move on. Like, what is the point of that? It makes no sense. You’re getting paid. If you’re getting paid, why are you talking? It makes no sense. And nobody’s even mad at you. I haven’t even talked about him in a long time.”

Although De La Hoya has since posted on his Instagram account promoting the fight in a more positive light, Garcia still says he’s looking forward to finding a new path when his contract with De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions expires.

“We have one more fight with them, so they’re going to be a part of one more as a co-promotion with my promotion. That’s pretty much it.

While Garcia, who has predicted a knockout in five rounds or less over Benn, says he’s not sure if he’ll promote himself or sign with another promoter, if that promoter is Dana White’s Zuffa Boxing, there will be conditions contingent upon the deal. 

Zuffa announced today they are moving their Noche UFC card in Arizona to an unusual early morning starting time so fans can catch both events. 

“Even if I ever sign with Zuffa, I will make sure that I never wear a Zuffa outfit,” Garcia revealed. “I’m wearing my own outfits, doing my own thing, and if you don’t like it, then I’ll never sign with you. That’s it.

“I don’t care how much money you offer me. I just love the whole show of it. And I feel like they should let certain fighters do that. You know, I like to express myself. Some people like money, which is cool. I like money too, but I also love the creative side of it.”

Garcia also says he’s not prepared to drop his WBC title in favor of a Zuffa championship. 

“I think the WBC is one of the most prestigious belts of all time. I mean, the WBC belt is legendary. Only the best of the best has ever held that belt. And now, I’m holding it. So, I hold it with great pride. I have respect for the history of the WBC belt.”