Conor Benn is eligible to challenge for the WBC welterweight world title against the winner of the upcoming bout between Manny Pacquiao and Mario Barrios. This possibility arises despite Benn`s recent defeat to Chris Eubank Jr at middleweight and the expectation of a rematch later this year.
Neither his loss outside the welterweight division nor his absence from competing at 147lbs for several years will disqualify him from potentially contending for the WBC championship.
The fight for the WBC welterweight world championship between veteran Manny Pacquiao and Mario Barrios is scheduled for July 19 in Las Vegas.
WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman confirmed Benn`s eligibility to face the victor of the Pacquiao-Barrios contest.
Sulaiman explained that Benn holds a ranking within the WBC, as does Eubank Jr, albeit in different weight classes. He affirmed Benn`s ongoing eligibility, stating that while a potential rematch with Eubank Jr might postpone a welterweight title challenge, it doesn`t eliminate his standing.
Reflecting on the Eubank Jr fight, Sulaiman described it as a “sensational fight, great story.” He highlighted Benn`s decision to move up in weight, noting that he “came up in weight, gave advantage, tremendous fight.”
He also commented on Benn`s boxing lineage, adding, “His father was a proud WBC champion so it`s overall a beautiful story.”
Benn`s most recent fight was the loss at 160lbs. Following a period after an adverse drug test finding (from which he was later cleared to compete in the UK), his last fight in the welterweight division was a knockout victory over Chris van Heerden in 2022.
Nevertheless, the WBC continues to rank Benn highly at 147lbs.
Sulaiman justified this ranking by explaining that Benn is “absolutely ranked in a high place” because of his “highly competitive dramatic, great fight” at a higher weight class.
He further detailed the WBC`s ranking criteria:
The WBC rankings are by merit. There are fighters who lose a fight and still can advance in the rankings. Let`s say hypothetically No 14 in the rankings challenges for the world title and he has a tremendous performance against a champion, drops him and it`s a close fight, he would go from 14 higher even though he lost. Usually people would think you lose, you go down in the rankings but it`s not the case.
Sulaiman concluded confidently regarding Benn`s status: “He`s No 3 ranked, right at the top. He has all the merits and he has the level to bid for the WBC title at any stage.” He suggested that if Benn opts against the rematch and is available, a title fight “could be one of the great fights of this year.”
Murray Blackwood