Conor Benn Cleared to Pursue WBC Welterweight Title Against Pacquiao-Barrios Winner

Despite a recent loss at middleweight, Conor Benn remains eligible to challenge the winner of the Manny Pacquiao vs. Mario Barrios bout for the WBC welterweight championship.

By Lubowa Babu Hussein

June 27, 2025 at 9:16 AM

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Key Takeaways

Conor Benn is still eligible to compete for the WBC welterweight title despite his recent middleweight loss.
The winner of the Pacquiao vs. Barrios fight will determine the next WBC welterweight champion.
WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman confirmed Benn's top contender status in the welterweight division.
Benn's performance against Eubank Jr. was praised as highly competitive, maintaining his ranking.
A potential Benn vs. Pacquiao or Barrios fight is anticipated by fans if Benn returns to welterweight.

Conor Benn, the British boxing sensation, is still in the running to compete for the WBC welterweight world title, despite his recent defeat in a middleweight clash with Chris Eubank Jr. WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman confirmed that Benn retains his ranking at 147lbs and is eligible to face the victor of the upcoming Manny Pacquiao vs. Mario Barrios fight.

The Pacquiao-Barrios showdown, set for July 19 in Las Vegas, will determine the next WBC welterweight champion. While Benn is expected to rematch Eubank Jr. later this year, Sulaiman emphasized that the British fighter remains a top contender in the welterweight division. "He is ranked by the WBC, and it is up to him. If he doesn't fight the rematch and is available, he could challenge for the WBC title," Sulaiman told Sky Sports.

Benn’s last welterweight bout was in 2022 when he secured a knockout victory over Chris van Heerden. Since then, he moved up to middleweight for a highly anticipated but ultimately unsuccessful fight against Eubank Jr. Despite the loss, Sulaiman praised Benn’s performance, calling it "highly competitive, dramatic, and great."

The WBC president also highlighted Benn’s merits, noting that fighters can advance in the rankings even after a loss if they deliver a strong performance. "He is No. 3 ranked, right at the top. He has all the merits and the level to bid for the WBC title at any stage," Sulaiman added.

Benn’s potential return to the welterweight division has sparked excitement among fans, with a possible clash against Pacquiao or Barrios shaping up to be one of the year’s most anticipated fights. For now, Benn’s focus remains on his next steps, as the boxing world eagerly awaits his decision.