Conor Benn has been invited to walk straight into a world title fight, albeit against a champion that has seemingly flown under his radar.
It was exactly a week ago that the 29-year-old exacted his revenge on Chris Eubank Jr, his fierce rival, after losing their first encounter via a unanimous decision in April.
This time around, it appeared that a more measured performance contributed to a drastic turn of events, which ultimately exposed Eubank as a severely depleted version of his former self.
A combination of his age, and a not-so-friendly encounter with the scales, seemed to offer the 36-year-old a lack of vigour throughout their middleweight rematch.
Benn, on the other hand, was able to keep to his gameplan, and even score two knockdowns in the final round, before claiming a wide points victory.
Then, shortly after getting his hand raised, the Ilford man doubled down on his desire to move back down in weight and chase the world champions at 147lbs.
More specifically, Benn has set his sights on Mario Barrios, the WBC welterweight champion, who is instead set to face Ryan Garcia this coming February.
Confused as to why he did not receive a mention, meanwhile, is IBF champion Lewis Crocker, who called out Benn immediately after his points victory over Paddy Donovan in September.
Crocker has insisted on Matchroom Boxing’s Flash Knockdown podcast that a potential clash with Benn is unlikely to go past five rounds.
“He’s mentioned the other champions, and I just don’t know how it doesn’t make sense for me and him to [fight]. It would be an absolute war.
I just think, a fight like that – me and Benn – it’s just [going to be] toe-to-toe. I don’t think that one’s going past five rounds.
I think it’s just more for the fans. We both wear our heart on our sleeve, and we’ll both go out there and put it all on the line.
[We’re] two big punchers, so it’s sure to be pure fireworks from the get-go.”
