Ryan Garcia Proudly Defends His Heritage After Stopping Conor Benn

The boxing champion responds to critics questioning his roots because he does not speak Spanish.

LAS VEGAS — Following his dominant second-round TKO victory over British contender Conor Benn at the T-Mobile Arena, WBC welterweight champion Ryan Garcia used his post-fight interview to deliver an emotional message about his identity.

Garcia, who successfully defended his title during the festive Mexican Independence Day weekend, directly addressed critics who frequently claim he isn't truly Mexican because he cannot speak the language. The pre-fight buildup had already spotlighted the issue after Benn mocked Garcia by speaking fluent Spanish during a promotional press conference.

"I know some people don't see me as Mexican because I don't speak Spanish, but just know my love never goes away from you guys," Garcia declared to the crowd. He emphasized that his heritage and deep connection to the country extend far beyond language barriers. The champion concluded his speech with a passionate shout of "¡Viva México!", drawing cheers from the audience as he embraced his Mexican-American roots on one of boxing’s biggest stages.