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Connor BennThe next step has become clear after wbc He was officially announced as the mandatory challenger for his welterweight world title.
there was news This was confirmed at the WBC conference in Bangkok, Thailand.And it appears this sets Ben up for a shot against the winner of Mario Barrios vs. Ryan Garcia, that fight has not been confirmed yet but is in the works for early 2026.
barrios, who The 46-year-old retained his title by playing a draw against Manny Pacquiao May have to face in July garcia in February. In that case, Benn could be in line to face 30-year-old Barrios or 27-year-old Garcia.
As the mandatory challenger, Benn will be guaranteed the next world title shot, or he can take an interim fight to stay sharp after his performance. He won points over his compatriot Chris Eubank Jr., avenging his April defeat Last month.
That fight was set at middleweight, 13 pounds above the welterweight division, meaning Benn could push for a fight at light middleweight, 154 pounds, or at a catchweight in order to bounce back up in weight.
“We appreciate Matchroom, please express our incredible gratitude to Conor and Nigel for the way they have portrayed our dream of the green and gold,” WBC president Mauricio Suleiman said on Monday, referencing Benn’s promoters, father and the colors of the WBC title.
“It’s humbling. By the way, ever since he’s had the distinction of defeating a much bigger middleweight as a welterweight, [he’s expressed] His desire towards WBC with so much passion and devotion [belt] We are very proud.”
Benn’s decision defeat by Eubank Jr., prior to his victory in the rematch, remains the only defeat of his professional career, and it came at middleweight – as did Benn’s redemption in November. Benn, 29, has long made clear his desire to return to welterweight, and Americans Barrios and Garcia have been on the Briton’s hit list for some time.
Garcia addressed the matter last weekI am telling covers.com: “I don’t think he has a big presence in the US, but I’m willing to go to the UK. I’m definitely willing to go to the UK to fight him. He seems like a fun match-up.
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“He’ll go crazy and throw bombs all night and think he’s going to overpower me, but he won’t. But I would love to fight him. I love fighting Eddie Hearn fighters, I don’t know why, I just love beating them.
“He just makes you want to beat his fighters. The way he talks, the way he walks, I can’t wait to look in his face and say: ‘I did it again.’ That would make me very happy, almost more than a championship title. I would be so happy to see Eddie’s sad and confused face.