Overview
- At the WBC convention in Bangkok, Benn jumped from No. 4 to No. 1 at 147 pounds, moving ahead of Manny Pacquiao, Souleymane Cissokho and Raul Curiel.
- The WBC confirmed Mario Barrios will defend the welterweight title against Ryan Garcia on February 21, with the winner mandated to face Benn next.
- Benn says he will return to welterweight after recent middleweight bouts with Chris Eubank Jr, noting he has not made 147 pounds since 2022.
- WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman publicly praised Benn, Matchroom and Nigel Benn while acknowledging Benn’s pursuit of the organization’s title.
- Promoter Eddie Hearn says Saudi adviser Turki Alalshikh is eyeing Benn vs. Garcia on the Cinco de Mayo weekend in Las Vegas if Garcia beats Barrios, a plan that remains contingent on results and negotiations.