Conor Benn looks set to embark upon the first world title challenge of his career in 2026.
The British boxer announced on Tuesday that he has been confirmed as the WBC’s new No1 contender at welterweight, jumping up from fourth spot during the governing body’s latest convention held in Thailand.
That makes Benn now mandatory challenger for the WBC’s world title in the 147-pound division that has been held by Mexican-American Mario Barrios since 2024.
Barrios is expected to fight Ryan Garcia on February 21 at a location yet to be confirmed, having previously retained the belt during successive draws with Abel Ramos and 46-year-old Manny Pacquiao, the latter of whom was making his comeback four years after retiring and initially stated his desire for a rematch.
‘El Azteca’ had initially won the vacant interim title against Yordenis Ugas in September 2023 and retained it against Fabian Maidana, before being upgraded to full champion by the WBC after former undisputed king Terence Crawford was made ‘champion in recess’ following his move up to super-welterweight and later super-middleweight.
Benn had previously repeatedly stated his desire to challenge Barrios for the WBC belt and also included Garcia - along with the likes of WBA welterweight title-holder Rolly Romero and new WBO champion Devin Haney - on his list of desired future opponents, with the pair exchanging plenty of barbs on social media.
Former WBC interim lightweight champion Garcia suffered a shock loss to Romero in May on his return from a one-year ban, ruining his chances of a rematch after his initial win over Haney was declared a no-contest, with the latter going on to beat Brian Norman Jr in Riyadh in November to become a three-weight world champion.
Benn has stated publicly that he is not interested in a fight against Belfast’s IBF welterweight champion Lewis Crocker, his Matchroom Boxing stablemate.
“Just got the news that I’ve been made number one in the WBC rankings, mandatory for the WBC world title,” Benn announced in a short video on X. “I’ll be watching Barrios vs Garcia closely.
“I want the winner, early next year. God willing, that WBC title is mine. I’ll be coming for that belt and Britain will have a new world champion. Let’s have it. Come on.”
Benn has not fought at his natural home of welterweight since February 2024, when he outpointed Peter Dobson in a low-key affair in Las Vegas that followed his win over Rodolfo Orozco.
Benn’s last welterweight fight in the UK was in Manchester in April 2022, when he stopped Chris van Heerden in the second round.
Benn later failed two voluntary drugs tests in the build-up to his scheduled catchweight fight against arch-rival Chris Eubank Jr in October 2022, forcing it to be cancelled.
Benn always denied any wrongdoing and was eventually cleared to fight in the UK in November 2024 after his provisional suspension was lifted and he jumped up to middleweight for two high-profile fights against Eubank Jr.
He lost the first on points at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in April before easily winning the rematch by decision at the same venue last month, improving his professional record to 24-1 (14 KOs).
It was the Benns’ first win over the Eubanks in four attempts in British boxing’s most famous family rivalry passed down from their famous fathers, but, despite their personal rivalry now standing locked at one win apiece, Conor insisted there would be no trilogy fight as he declared the saga “finished” and stated his ambition to return to welterweight to compete for world titles.
