Fans Mock Conor Benn’s Title Ambitions – ‘So Protected’

Boxing fans have reacted after Conor Benn’s desire to secure a title shot after facing Chris Eubank Jr. 

Benn will box Eubank Jr. on April 26 in the biggest fight of his career. He will jump up to 160 pounds, having fought at 154 pounds in his last two bouts. The fight has been marred by lots of controversy, dating all the way back to 2022. That was when the fight was first scheduled, only for it to be called off once Benn tested positive for Clomiphene.

Clomiphene is a substance that is known for masking PED usage. Benn denied putting anything into his body, claiming that he was innocent. UKAD subsequently suspended him as the investigation continued. While Benn is now cleared to box, the exact reasoning for this has not been made known to the public. The WBC initially suggested that Benn may have eaten too many eggs, a reason for the failed test.

Eubank Vs. Benn

Eubank Jr. mocked Benn for that as he responded by egging him during their kick-off presser. That action earned Eubank Jr. a $129,000 fine. However, Benn is not letting the background noise sway him. He made it clear that he wants to have a title shot next, claiming that he will knock out Eubank Jr. However, there are several things to bear in mind. 

Benn has not knocked out anybody since his failed VADA tests. This has created the narrative among some in the boxing community that Benn no longer looks as explosive since his failed tests. His last stoppage was against Chris Algieri before the failed tests at a time where Algieri was no longer at his peak. Benn has also faced two boxers at 154 pounds in his last two bouts. Those were decision wins against Rodolfo Orozco and Peter Dobson. 

Benn’s Aim

Eubank Jr. is also known for having a durable chain, having only been stopped once in his career against Liam Smith. However, the Liam Smith fight came after Eubank Jr. was trying to make a career-low weight of 157 pounds for the initial Benn fight, meaning his condition may not have been the best. 

Benn will also struggle to get a title shot. Jaron Ennis is likely to chase fights with Mario Barrios, who is the WBC Welterweight Champion, and Brian Norman Jr., who is the WBO Welterweight Champion, having stopped Eimantas Stanionis to unify the division. While Benn is ranked number three in the WBC rankings, Barrios has bigger fights. But Benn is keeping his eyes on a world title. 

“Why are you fighting a welterweight? Eubank says, ‘Why are you fighting a middleweight?’ Because I’m 28. I can achieve a world title. I’ll knock Eubank out and go fight for a world title straight after at 147. I’ll go straight back down. Eubank is in line for a world title fight against Janibek. Against Canelo. He chooses to fight a welterweight. It doesn’t make sense apart from financial sense,” Benn said