How to bet on Ryan Garcia vs. Conor Benn Sept. 12: Boxing odds, best bets, sportsbook promos, more for Zuffa card

Two of the most confident, colorful entities in all of boxing face off in Las Vegas on September 12 when Ryan Garcia defends the WBC welterweight title against Conor Benn.

It’s a battle between Golden Boy and Zuffa Boxing. Garcia (25-2), with Oscar De La Hoya in his corner, is coming off a win against Mario Barrios to win gold after multiple attempts.

Benn (25-1), with Dana White by his side, is on a two-fight win streak and looks to bring gold to Zuffa and the U.K.

Also on the card, Jai Opetaia looks to prove he’s the boogeyman at cruiserweight, while Mark Magsayo and Andres Cortes face off in a battle between former and current title contenders.

The Sporting News has you covered with the latest betting odds, expert picks and predictions for the fights on Saturday, from Ryan Garcia vs. Conor Benn to Jai Opetaia vs. Noel Mikaelian. Plus, new users can bet $5 on the fights and get $200 in Bonus Bets instantly at DraftKings Sportsbook.

MORE: Reviewing the best boxing betting sites

How to bet on Ryan Garcia vs. Conor Benn

Betting on boxing is quite simple. First you need to choose a sportsbook to bet with. DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, bet365, theScore Bet, BetRivers and Fanatics all offer odds on the entire Ryan Garcia vs. Conor Benn fight card. 

1. Choose your sportsbook and claim your welcome bonus

Once you choose your sportsbook, you can claim a welcome bonus. First, you must sign up and enter all of your verification information such as your name, address, social security number and other details. Once your account is confirmed you can claim a welcome bonus from one of these sportsbooks below.

2. Learn the main boxing bet types

There are a variety of ways to bet on boxing, including several popular bet types. Moneylines allow users to pick an outright winner and profit if their fighter comes out victorious. Total round betting provides betters with the opportunity to call their own shot on how many rounds a fight will last. Prop betting has all the niche markets that a boxing bettor could ask for. To learn more about the variety of bet types, check out our full guide below. 

3. Research

Successful boxing betting requires analyzing fighter statistics like strike percentage, recent form, style matchups and training camps to identify value in odds. Key factors include researching a fighter’s opponent quality, whether or not ring rust (long layoffs) plays a factor and overinflated lines.

4. Place your bet

Pick the fighter that you like to win or the method of victory you like that fighter to win by, and enjoy the fights. 

MORE: Beginner’s guide to how to bet on boxing

Where to bet on Ryan Garcia vs. Conor Benn fight

If you’re looking to get in on the betting action for the fights but are new to some of the best sportsbooks in your area, take advantage of their new-user promos and welcome bonuses.

MORE: Best sportsbook promos and betting app bonuses

Ryan Garcia vs. Conor Benn card odds and best bets

All odds are courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook. 

Ryan Garcia (c) vs. Conor Benn for the WBC welterweight title

Garcia vs. Benn prediction and best bet

Per the DraftKings Sportsbook, Ryan Garcia is the -330 favorite, while Conor Benn is the +250 underdog.

Garcia averages the fifth-fewest total punches thrown per round (34.2). His opponents land the fourth-fewest (7.3). His ability to land rapid-fire punches is one of his best traits. “KingRy” has proven he can be unstoppable in the ring. However, when he’s in his own head, he sabotages himself.  

Against Devin Haney, Garcia knocked him down multiple times and landed 106 of 285 shots (37.2%). The fight was his most complete performance, but it was thrown in the trash after his failed drug test. Against Rolando Romero, Garcia landed 66 of 210 shots (31.4%), while Romero landed 57 of 280 (20.4%). Garcia did not land double-digit shots and got dropped in the fight.

When he finally won gold, Garcia outlanded Mario Barrios 31-9 in power punches through three rounds. It was his most consistent performance to date.

Benn has a total connect percentage mark of 37%, the fifth-best in boxing. He’s second in connecting with his jabs (27.3%) and ranks towards the top in power connect percentage (44.3%).

When he lost against Chris Eubank Jr. in their first of two fights, Benn landed 215 of 593 strikes (36.3%). Eubank landed 367 of 912 (40.2%), with 140 jabs. Benn landed 20+ strikes in the last five rounds. In the rematch, Benn landed 174 4 of 426 (40.6), while Eubank landed 68 of 365 (18.6%), with the former landing 81 jabs. Both fights helped leave his past, a suspension by the U.K. Anti-Doping Agency, behind.

In his first fight with Zuffa, Benn outworked Regis Prograis, punching through the former champion’s defense. He landed 68 more strikes than Prograis, but the fight was still decided via the judges.

The real question is which fighter will show up on fight night? That’s a good question for Garcia. If he doesn’t get into his own head, his speed and skills will pay the bills. Benn didn’t look as motivated against Prograis, but also couldn’t put Eubank away in the second night, even while Eubank looked out of it from the start.

Will weight be an issue? Benn hasn’t fought at welterweight since 2022 against Chris van Heerden. While Garcia has had weight issues in the past, he should feel right at home.

Given the level of competition and their overall skills, Garcia should get the win, giving him the edge over Benn and Oscar De La Hoya bragging rights against Dana White.

MORE: Beginner’s guide to parlay betting

Jai Opetaia (c) vs. Noel Mikaelian for the The Ring and Zuffa cruiserweight titles

Opetaia vs. Mikaelian prediction and best bet

Per the FanDuel Sportsbook, Jai Opetaia is the -1300 favorite, while Noel Mikaelian is the +720 underdog.

Opetaia, the Zuffa and Ring champion, aims to prove why he’s the best in the division.

He outworked Brandon Glanton, landing massive uppercuts and using his power to subdue his opponent. Still, Glanton’s chin was strong enough not to go down in the fight. Though he did take some shots, Opetaia didn’t break a sweat. The only headaches have been his dealings with the sanctioning bodies since signing with Zuffa.  

Before that fight, Opetaia beat Mairis Briedis, connecting on 83 of 294 strikes (28.2%). Against Jack Massey, Opetaia landed 87 of 205 (42.4%), taking Massey out in the middle of the fight.

Mikaelian is technically the WBC champion, though the WBC has threatened to strip him, and promoter Don King has attempted to get the fight nixed. Can he score the upset win?

In his first fight against Badou Jack, a loss, the judges thought Jack landed the more efficient shots despite Mikaelian’s high-volume strikes. In the rematch, Mikaelian was relentless, leaving no doubt.

The headaches of the build to this fight could get to Opetaia. However, if there was a moment to prove his value, now is the time. If he can’t get by Mikaelian, you can say goodbye to future plans. Opetaia should make quick work of Mikaelian.

MORE: What is a teaser in sports betting?

Mark Magsayo vs. Andres Cortes (Lightweight)

Magsayo vs. Cortes prediction and best bet

Per the DraftKings Sportsbook, Andres Cortes is the -115 favorite, while Mark Magsayo is the -110 underdog. 

It’s a unique fight pitting a former champion against a rising star.

When Magsayo beat Gary Russell Jr. for the WBC featherweight title in 2022, he landed 41% of his power punches. Russell’s previous eight opponents landed 28.7%. Magsayo lost the belt against Rey Vargas, who edged him in total punches (196-132), with 61 jabs. Magsayo had a better connect percentage against Brandon Figueroa, but still lost.

Since then, he has won five straight, with matchups against Bryan Mercado and Jorge Mata being the most valued performances.

Cortes continues to grow and impress. Against former title contender Abraham Nova, Cortes, Cortes missed weight and failed to keep pace with his opponent’s work rate, but still won. A win is nice, but it was a performance he’d like to forget.

The 29-year-old recovered with three straight impressive wins. Headlining a Zuffa event in April, Cortes was tactical against Eridson Garcia, fainting and forcing his opponent to miss. Cortes landed 95 of 366 strikes, while Garcia landed 67 of 387 shots.

Now, Cortes once again faces a former contender in Magsayo. Who will stand tall in this matchup? Cortes could be the future, but Magsayo has given himself momentum. The veteran may very well school Cortes.

MORE: Everything to know about props in sports betting

Jose Carlos Ramirez vs. Alexis Rocha (Welterweight)

Ramirez vs. Rocha prediction and best bet

Ramirez is a former world champion who has faced some of boxing’s best. Some outcomes have been great, while others have not helped his attempts to hold gold again.

When he beat Jose Pedraza in 2022, Ramirez landed 91 of 297 (31%) power punches along with 133 total strikes. He threw 61 strikes in round 12, landing 18. Years later, he lost to Devin Haney. He landed 40 of 279 strikes (14.3%) more than a year ago in a fight that wasn’t ideal for both fighters.

Rocha is a rising star in the division. In a draw against Raul Curiel, Rocha was busier, landing more power shots (172 compared to 151). He also landed 36 in round twelve. After a 15-month layoff, he beat another former champion in Joseph Diaz. He outlanded “JoJo” 250 to 142, with 119 shots to the body.

Rocha competes in another fight where he’s attempting to get past a former titleholder. The result should be the same here, as Ramirez has slowed down and may not be ready for Rocha’s speed.

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Ryan Garcia vs. Conor Benn full card

• Ryan Garcia (c) vs. Conor Benn for the WBC welterweight title
• Jai Opetaia (c) vs. Noel Mikaelian for the The Ring and Zuffa cruiserweight titles
• Mark Magsayo vs. Andres Cortes; Lightweights
• Jose Carlos Ramirez vs. Alexis Rocha; Welterweights 
• Da’Mazion Vanhouter vs. Raphael Akpejiori; Heavyweights
• Abel Gonzalez vs. Raul Salomon; Super Middleweights
• Vlad Panin vs. Dakota Linger; Welterweights
• Oswaldo Molina vs. Pablo Rubio; Super Featherweights
• Sean Garcia vs. Abraham Morales; Lightweights

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