Conor Benn has been welcomed back to the welterweight division with open arms by the WBC.
The Brit is coming off the back of a wide unanimous decision win over Chris Eubank Jr, avenging defeat in their first meeting and putting one on the board for the Benn family in the long familial rivalry.
Despite filling out well at 160lbs, he has been adamant that he will now drop back down to 147 in pursuit of the WBC belt, held by Mario Barrios since being elevated from interim champion in June 2024.
At the 63rd annual WBC Convention in Bangkok, Thailand, Benn’s wish was granted. His number one position in the rankings was confirmed and he was praised by President Mauricio Sulaiman.
“Please express to Conor and to Nigel our unbelievable gratitude for the way the have portrayed their dream for the green and gold. That’s humbling. Since he conquered the glory of beating a very big middleweight as a welterweight, and expressing such passion and loyalty… His desire for the WBC makes us proud.”
Responding to the news on social media, Benn said:
“Just got the news that I’ve been made number one in the WBC rankings. Mandatory for the WBC World title. I’ll be watching Barrios-Garcia closely. I want the winner early next year. Q1, god willing, I’ll be coming for that belt and Britain will have a new world champion. Let’s have it. Come on.”
Ryan Garcia, not currently ranked, recently announced that he has signed his end of the deal to challenge for Barrios’ belt in February 2026. Barrios has made two defences of the title, retaining the belt via draw on both occasions, the latest of which came against Manny Pacquiao back in July.
