Kal Sajad
BBC Sport boxing journalist at T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas

Ryan Garcia gets the prized Las Vegas Mexican Independence Day weekend slot tonight, a date which has become one of boxing’s great traditions.

Mexican Independence Day itself is on Wednesday, 16 September, but the weekend around it has long been reserved for some of the sport’s biggest nights. Floyd Mayweather outclassed Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez here in 2013, while Canelo’s first two fights with Gennady Golovkin took place on the same weekend in 2017 and 2018.

The noise levels just went up a notch or two when Ryan Garcia's Mexican-themed music hit.

What an atmosphere this is.

Carl Frampton
Retired world champion to BBC Sport

I thought Benn had a fair chance due to his tenacity and Garcia has quit in fights before. But as the fight is getting closer I think Benn is a big underdog and it's Garcia's fight to lose.

Benn looked terrible in a catchweight - 3lb above the welterweight limit - last time out against an ageing Regis Prograis, who was injured and had only one good leg, and he couldn't put a dent in him.

He looks like he's struggled with the weight cut and I don't get a good feeling, so I'll go with a comfortable Garcia win.

Prediction - Garcia

I think we know who the power puncher is.

Ryan Garcia has won 80% of his fights via knockout, to Conor Benn's 56%.

WE'VE MADE IT.

Here comes Conor Benn, dressed in all black with the Union Jack flag behind him.

In Ryan Garcia, Conor Benn will face the toughest challenge of his career to date.

At the age of 28, Garcia has been in the ring with the very best the welterweight division has to offer and now he'll defend his WBC title for the first time.

Nigel Benn said he was done when son Conor had his hand raised in the rematch with Chris Eubank Jr.

But here he is in Vegas as his son aims to emulate his father and win the famous WBC title.

Thirty-six years ago, Nigel flew across the Atlantic as the fiery outsider, tearing through Doug DeWitt in Atlantic City to secure his first world title.

Now, Conor lands on the Las Vegas Strip chasing the exact same milestone. A victory would place the Benns alongside the likes of Floyd and Tracy Harris Patterson, Julio Cesar Chavez and Julio Cesar Chavez Jr and Leon and Cory Spinks in the lineage of father-and-son world champions.

"I've watched him religiously for 10 years put his life on the line," Nigel said. "He's just going from strength to strength, from glory to glory. I see him being victorious. I'm not actually worried whatsoever."

Image source, Getty Images

Kal Sajad
BBC Sport boxing journalist at T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas

Ryan Garcia did not even turn up for the first scheduled face-off earlier in the week, so this was hardly a fight week which exploded into life from day one.

Garcia has certainly done his bit since. There are fight posters dotted around the major hotels and the atmosphere has steadily picked up.

The Strip is packed, although boxing cannot take all the credit. The Las Vegas Raiders open their NFL season against the Miami Dolphins at Allegiant Stadium tomorrow, so there is plenty going on at this end of town.

Garcia’s supporters have generally been the loudest, although plenty of Americans have booed him too.

Just the one defeat for Conor Benn in his last five fights, but he soon avenged that one.

Does this form make him worthy of a world title shot?

This one has been sizzling away just nicely and I think we may be in store for some fireworks in the ring in a couple of hours.

Someone is getting knocked out, I think.

Image source, Getty Images

So, if the below chart is anything to go by, then we're in store for a third-round knockout and an earlier bedtime?

Tony Bellew
Former cruiserweight world champion to BBC Sport

This is a really good fight and it's not as one-sided as everyone thinks. I believe Conor Benn's heart is going to come into question and he's going to have to climb off the floor a couple of times.

If Garcia has taken this lightly in any way he will lose, but he's in great shape and is saying the right things in the build-up. But I'm still going for a Conor Benn knockout inside eight rounds.

Prediction - Benn

Kal Sajad
BBC Sport boxing journalist at T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas

An advert for Dana White's Power Slap has just come on the big screen. I can't say I know much about it, but I figure it's just two people slapping each other? Will thumb war also become a sport soon?

It's 4:07 in the morning, just get the boys in the ring, please.

Numbers-wise, these two actually match up pretty well until you see how they compare in terms of world title fights.

The experience is with Ryan Garcia.

Jai Opetaia, speaking to DAZN after his stoppage win over Noel Mikaelian: "I knew it was going to be an experience. He's a good fighter. It's [been] good to share the ring with him. Who's next?

"Yeah, man. [Noel Mikaelian] clipped me. I'm sort of used to getting clipped in a fight. It's just those little shots that slip through, but I'm still here. I'm still undefeated.

On David Benavidez, being his potential next fight, who made his way to the ring: "I respect him. He's done a lot for the sport, and it would be awesome."

We aren't talking about Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn level rivalry here but these two don't like each other. Makes for a better fight, I guess.

"He's not my cup of tea. I wouldn't want to hang out with him too much," Ryan Garcia said.

"He's a bit of a hypocrite and contradicts himself a lot. I am who I am - goofy and outgoing, making jokes and having fun.

"He is trying to say he's humble, but he's out here any chance in a Rolls-Royce. He loves the lights.

"He thinks I'm like that, but I'm focused on my craft 100%."

Image source, Getty Images

If Conor Benn were to shock the world and beat Ryan Garcia, then he won't be hanging around at welterweight for long, as he's already said he'll be vacating the title to move up to middleweight or potentially as high as super-middleweight.

Benn said: "I love challenges and that's what life is about, otherwise it's boring."

Jack Catterall
WBA 'Regular' welterweight champion on DAZN

The pressure is definitely on Ryan Garcia. I think Benn has already come out and said he's not making welterweight again.

I would say definitely [the pressure] is on Garcia. He's won the belt, and now he's got to defend it tonight.

The weight is particularly significant because of the contrasting styles.

Conor Benn relies heavily on aggression, explosiveness and sustained pressure, while Ryan Garcia is a fast and dangerous counter-puncher who is comfortable catching opponents as they come forward.

Any draining effects of the cut could therefore leave Benn more vulnerable to Garcia's speed and powerful left hook, while also raising questions over whether the Briton can maintain his usual intensity over 12 rounds.

With no rehydration clause in place, though, Benn will weigh significantly more by the time he steps into the ring.

He is still an underdog against Garcia but Benn's size and physical pressure could become one of his biggest advantages.

Image source, Getty Images