London: Conor Benn remains eligible to challenge for the WBC welterweight world title despite his recent loss to Chris Eubank Jr at middleweight. WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman confirmed that Benn could face the winner of the July 19 championship bout between Manny Pacquiao and Mario Barrios in Las Vegas.
Benn, who hasn’t fought at 147lbs since 2022, is still ranked No. 3 in the WBC welterweight rankings. His last appearance in that division saw him stop Chris van Heerden before serving a suspension related to a failed drug test. Though later cleared to box in the UK, his comeback was at middleweight in a dramatic loss to Eubank Jr.
Sulaiman explained that Benn’s ranking remains intact because of the competitive nature of his recent fight. “He lost in middleweight, outside of his division, in a dramatic and great fight,” Sulaiman told Sky Sports. “He is ranked in a high place. The WBC rankings are by merit.”
He added that fighters can rise in rankings even after a loss, depending on the quality of the performance. Sulaiman also highlighted Benn’s strong boxing lineage, noting that his father, Nigel Benn, was a former WBC champion.
Benn is expected to rematch Eubank Jr later this year, which may delay any potential title shot. Still, Sulaiman said, “If he doesn’t fight the rematch and he’s available and ready, then that could be one of the great fights of this year.”
Despite not fighting at welterweight for over two years, Benn’s strong showing at a higher weight class and overall track record keep him in title contention.
