Ryan Garcia ANNIHILATES Conor Benn; Teofimo Lopez Next? Ariel Helwani Breakdown

What happened in this episode?

Ariel Helwani and colleagues reviewed the Ryan Garcia–Conor Benn card as an early test of TKO’s emerging boxing operation, arguing the event felt closer to a UFC-style broadcast in pacing, presentation and promotion. The panel discussed what they see as a strategic shift from initial rhetoric about bypassing boxing’s sanctioning bodies towards a more pragmatic approach that still accommodates world-title belts, as fighters continue to prize legacy championships and “undisputed” status.

A major thread was the business and promotional fallout around Garcia’s future and the relationships between TKO/Zuffa Boxing, Saudi financier Turki Alalshikh, and incumbent boxing promoters. The show focused on Oscar De La Hoya’s absence from the event, airing Dana White’s comments that he and De La Hoya dislike each other but that De La Hoya would not have been mistreated if he attended. Garcia separately said he believed De La Hoya had a seat and that he invited him to walk out; Helwani then cited a statement from Golden Boy’s head of PR claiming Garcia’s team later reversed that plan on fight day, with the panel noting Garcia appeared to confirm that account on social media.

Helwani also played White’s explanation for preventing Teofimo Lopez from entering the ring post-fight, saying the promotion tries to avoid unscheduled in-ring confrontations unless both parties are engaging. The discussion broadened to star power and pay in boxing versus MMA, with the panel arguing boxing currently produces more mainstream names and earning potential than the UFC model typically allows.

What are the key points?

• Ryan Garcia said he expected Oscar De La Hoya to attend and invited him to walk him out, but De La Hoya did not appear.
• Dana White said he and De La Hoya dislike each other, but claimed De La Hoya would not have been mistreated if he attended.
• Golden Boy PR chief Jane Mercier claimed Garcia’s team later told them Garcia changed his mind about De La Hoya walking him out; the panel said Garcia appeared to confirm it on X.
• White explained why Teofimo Lopez was not allowed into the ring, citing a preference against unscheduled face-offs for fights that are not set.
• The show argued TKO/Zuffa Boxing is adapting to boxing’s belt culture rather than trying to eliminate sanctioning bodies outright.
• Helwani and the panel said the card’s production and pacing resembled UFC broadcasts and could attract fighters seeking higher purses and promotion.

Who is speaking?

Named speakers identified in Egleze's source-linked moments from this episode.

• Dana White

Which topics are covered?

How is this page sourced?

Programme

The Ariel Helwani Show

Published

14 September 2026

Duration

39m

Original episode

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Egleze verifies the speaker, source and timestamp for each linked moment. Unless a moment is explicitly marked independently verified, statements remain attributed claims by the named speaker rather than established facts.