Conor Benn will set his sights on the light heavyweight world title after defeating Chris Eubank Jr in their middleweight rematch.
Benn filled up the division for his second straight fight with Eubank Jr, but is now looking to continue his championship run at 147 pounds.
“I like Mario Barrios for the WBC world title,” Ben said of his featherweight ambitions, before adding: “Ryan Garcia, Rolly Romero, Devin Haynie… they can all get it every day of the week and twice a week.”
Ben hasn’t actually reached the welterweight limit since boxing Chris van Heerden in 2022.
He was suspended for a doping violation before he was originally supposed to box Eubank Jr. that year, and in his four subsequent fights he didn’t weigh less than 150 pounds.
Ben with his father Nigel and trainer Tony Sims
“I don’t know how long I can make 147,” he remarked. “It will be difficult, of course, to make 147.
“It’s going to be challenging, but in the end that’s what we do.”
“For me it is to allow me to win the world title, for me it will be marked.”
His trainer Tony Sims said: “He’s boxed brilliantly. He’s gone from a complete beginner to a world-class fighter. He’s jumped two weights and beaten a world-class fighter.”
“We want to get it back to 147 now and box at his natural weight and win the world title.”
“That’s the goal now.”
The WBC belt, which Barrios retained after a draw with aging great Manny Pacquiao, holds particular appeal because his father, Nigel Benn, was the WBC champion during his storied career.
“That’s a belt I’d like to win,” Ben said. “It would be a moment for me.”
Ben looks forward to a unanimous decision triumph
Battling the son of his father’s arch-rival, Chris Eubank Sr., Ben avenged his April points loss to Junior. On Saturday, he scored a unanimous decision victory, knocking down Eubank Jr. twice in the 12th and final round.
In the process, he became the first Benn to defeat Eubank. “All that matters is me, my old man, and the family feud,” Ben said.
“There was a lot of pressure on me to get it done tonight. I felt pressure, not from the world, not from anyone, but I just wanted to make the family name proud.
“And I finished it. Forget everything else. It will go down in history forever.”
He wants his own saga with Eubank Jr. now remain in the past. Ben ruled out a trilogy fight with him.
“Done. Done,” Ben repeated. “I can see him looking for a rematch, but in the end I think it should be put to rest now. We did what we had to do.”
“We sold out the stadium twice. We did what we said we were going to do on the tin. Let’s call it a day.”
He concluded: “I feel like going home and crying. It was tough, dealing with your first loss, coming back from adversity. Things you have to do.
“Facing your own demons every day, that’s really the hardest fight.”