Conor Benn is eligible to problem the winner of the Manny Pacquiao versus Mario Barrios welterweight world title combat.
Benn misplaced to Chris Eubank Jr at middleweight and is anticipated to rematch his rival later this 12 months.
However that will not rule him out of difficult for the WBC belt at 147lbs, regardless of not boxing within the division for a number of years and shedding his most up-to-date combat.
Barrios and returning veteran Pacquiao will contest the WBC welterweight world championship on July 19 in Las Vegas.
Benn can be eligible to field the Barrios-Pacquiao victor, WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman confirmed to Sky Sports activities.
“He’s ranked by the WBC, Eubank is also ranked by the WBC, completely different weight classes. It’s as much as him [Benn]. Proper now if he is doing a rematch, then he isn’t going to problem for the WBC for a while however he is eligible,” Sulaiman advised Sky Sports activities.
Harlem Eubank believes we’ll by no means see an occasion like his cousin Chris Eubank Jr’s combat in opposition to Conor Benn once more, describing how the power shifted when Chris Eubank Sr confirmed up within the automobile forward of the bout
“Sensational fighter, nice story, he got here up in weight, gave benefit, large combat.”
Sulaiman added: “His father was a proud WBC champion so it is general a phenomenal story.”
Benn’s most up-to-date bout was the defeat to Eubank Jr at 160lbs. Having been suspended after an hostile discovering in a drug take a look at, earlier than being cleared to field within the UK, Benn hasn’t truly boxed at welterweight since 2022 when he knocked out Chris van Heerden.
Chris Eubank Jr was mobbed by followers whereas signing an egg carton following his current victory over British rival Conor Benn
Nonetheless the WBC have him excessive up of their rankings at 147lbs.
“He misplaced in middleweight, exterior of his division in a extremely aggressive dramatic, nice combat so he’s completely ranked in a excessive place,” Sulaiman mentioned.
“The WBC rankings are by benefit. There are fighters who lose a combat and nonetheless can advance within the rankings. For example hypothetically No 14 within the rankings challenges for the world title and he has an amazing efficiency in opposition to a champion, drops him and it is a shut combat, he would go from 14 greater though he misplaced.
Conor Benn has his say on the combat in opposition to Chris Eubank Jr and whether or not he can be up for a rematch
“Normally folks would assume you lose, you go down within the rankings nevertheless it’s not the case.”
Sulaiman continued: “[Benn] is correct there. He is No 3 ranked, proper on the prime. He has all of the deserves and he has the extent to bid for the WBC title at any stage.
“If he would not combat the rematch and he is accessible and prepared, then that could possibly be one of many nice fights of this 12 months.”
