Conor Benn will have a shot at the world title at welterweight after defeating Chris Eubank Jr. in a middleweight rematch.
Benn competed in the division for the second straight time against Eubank Jr., but this time he hopes to get a shot at the championship at 147 pounds.
“I want Mario Barrios to win the WBC world title,” Benn declared of his welterweight ambitions, adding, “Ryan Garcia, Laurie Romero, Devin Haney… they can all win it any day of the week, twice on Sunday.”
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Conor Benn and Chris Eubank Jr. react after their rematch.
Benn hasn’t actually reached the welterweight limit since boxing Chris Van Heerden in 2022.
He was suspended for an anti-doping violation before he was scheduled to compete at Eubank Jr. that year, and never weighed less than 150 pounds in his next four fights.
“I don’t know how long I can get to 147,” he said. “Of course it will be difficult to make 147.
“It’s going to be difficult, but ultimately that’s what we have to do.
“For me, winning a world title means that it checks a box for me.”
Ben with his father Nigel and trainer Tony Sims
His trainer Tony Sims said: “His boxing was outstanding. He went from being a total novice to a world-class fighter. He moved up two weights and beat world-class fighters.”
“We now want to get down to 147, box at our natural weight, and win a world title.
“That’s the goal now.”
The WBC belt, which Barrios held after his draw with the aging great Manny Pacquiao, is especially attractive to Barrios because his father, Nigel Benn, was WBC champion during a legendary career.
“That’s the belt I want to win,” Ben said. “It would be a flash in the pan for me.”
Ben is overjoyed with his unanimous decision victory.
Ben fought the son of his father’s great rival, Chris Eubank Sr., to avenge his points loss to Junior in April. He knocked down Eubank Jr. twice in the 12th and final round on Saturday, earning a unanimous decision victory.
In the process, he became the first Benn to defeat Eubank. “All that matters is me and the old man and our family feud,” Ben said.
“There was a lot of pressure on me to finish tonight. I felt pressure from the world and from everyone, but I just wanted to do my family’s name proud.
“And I completed it. Forget everything else. It will go down in history forever.”
He wants to leave his own story with Eubank Jr. in the past for now. Ben ruled out a trilogy fight with him.
“Done, done,” Ben repeated. “I understand he wants a rematch, but ultimately I think we should let him sleep for now. We did what we had to do.
“We filled the stadium twice. We did what we promised. Let’s call it a day.”
“I feel like I’m going to go home and cry. It’s been tough, facing my first loss and coming back from adversity. It’s something you have to do.
“Facing your demons every day is truly the hardest battle.”
