Boxing
Is Benn the WBC welterweight mandatory challenger for Barrios vs Garcia? President confirms his position
Barrios vs Garcia only on DAZN PPV - Feb 21
Conor Benn will face the winner of next month’s WBC welterweight clash between Ryan Garcia and Mario Barrios .
The news has been confirmed by Mauricio Sulaiman, the WBC President, who has stated that Benn is now the official mandatory for the 147lbs belt.
Benn has been eager to test himself for a world title for a long period, but the last four years have been filled with the Brit fighting to clear his name following a failed drugs test as well as two memorable battles with bitter rival, Chris Eubank Jr.
To fight Eubank Jr, Benn had to make the leap to middleweight, but during the entire feud with the Brighton man, it was stated emphatically by Benn, and his team, that he would be returning to welterweight at some point.
Now he is back at his former weight class, the WBC have acted and Sulaiman has now spoke out loud on Benn’s position and whether he is the mandatory challenger.
“Absolutely. Conor Benn is mandatory in the welterweight division. We have Ryan Garcia challenging champion Mario Barrios in February, and the winner is to fight Conor Benn,” said Sulaiman when speaking to Betsson.co.uk.
“So, I’m very excited about this division, and about the loyalty shown by Conor and his father, Nigel Benn.
“The humble remarks, and the love and respect they show for the WBC, are very deep in my heart. Absolutely. I’m very excited to watch this — it’s so special. He’s a special kid.”
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