Eddie Hearn Defends WBC Decision

Hearn: “We Asked to Stay at 147”

According to Eddie Hearn, the WBC offered to rank Benn at middleweight following his unanimous-decision win over Eubank Jr., who at the time was ranked inside the top 10 by most sanctioning bodies at 160 pounds.

Instead, Benn and his team insisted on remaining in the welterweight rankings.

“Conor Benn was in the welterweight rankings before the Chris Eubank fight,” Hearn said. “The WBC came to us and said, ‘Do you want to be ranked at middleweight?’ We said no we want to stay at 147.”

Hearn acknowledged the criticism that has followed the appointment but said Benn’s recent victory cannot be dismissed.

“If you’re in the rankings at that point, do you ignore a win like that? You can’t move Conor backwards after beating a top-10 middleweight.”

Benn’s Return to the Welterweight Title Picture

Benn (24-1, 14 KOs) last fought at welterweight in April 2022, knocking out Chris van Heerden. Since then, he has competed exclusively at higher weights. Even so, Hearn believes the magnitude of the Eubank win warranted upward movement.

“I do get the argument that moving him to No. 1 is high,” Hearn admitted. “But I also get the argument that when you win a fight of that magnitude, you can’t just ignore it.”

Benn has long expressed a desire to win the WBC green-and-gold belt, following in the footsteps of his father Nigel Benn, who held the title in the early 1990s. The championship belt still hangs prominently in Benn’s gym.

The WBC’s ruling now puts Benn on a direct path toward achieving that dream.

Barrios vs. Garcia First Benn Awaits the Summer 2026 Winner

Barrios and Garcia are nearing a deal to meet for the WBC welterweight title in early 2026. If and when the fight is finalized, Benn will be the first in line to challenge the winner.

“Conor against the winner of Barrios-Garcia is a massive fight,” Hearn said. “Honestly, I think it would have happened whether he was mandatory or not.”

For now, Hearn says Benn and Matchroom are “very grateful” for the WBC’s decision and are already preparing for a major title opportunity next year.