Conor Benn is currently awaiting a title opportunity at welterweight, positioned as the mandatory challenger for the WBC belt held by Mario Barrios. The situation leaves Benn in a holding pattern as the division awaits the outcome of Barrios’ upcoming fight against Ryan Garcia.
Benn is ranked No. 1 by the WBC and is in line to face the winner of the Barrios-Garcia bout, scheduled for February 21, 2026. His next step depends entirely on the result.
A potential fight with Garcia is considered the preferred outcome on Benn’s part. Garcia remains one of the sport’s more recognizable figures, and a bout between the two would likely have significant commercial value. There has been talk of a stadium fight in the UK, although it remains unclear whether the match would warrant a venue the size of Wembley Stadium.
Another option that has been mentioned is a Cinco de Mayo date in Las Vegas in May 2026. That location would match Garcia’s fan base, many of which are concentrated in Southern California and Nevada. No official plans have been announced.
Benn is expected to move directly into a title fight at 147 pounds rather than take a warm-up match. He has not competed at welterweight since April 2022, when he faced Chris van Heerden. Since then, Benn has fought twice at junior middleweight and most recently at middleweight in two fights against Chris Eubank Jr.
The weight cut back to 147 pounds is expected to be key. Benn will need to lose a lot of weight after several years away from the division. This raises questions about how smoothly the transition will go.
Some fans criticized the WBC’s decision to put Benn at No. 1 without a recent fight at welterweight. The concern centers on the time Benn spent outside the division and whether his position should have been earned after a return game. As things stand, Benn remains first in line and awaits the outcome of Garcia-Barrios.
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Last updated on 29/12/2025
