Conor Benn Ranked #2 WBA and WBC at 147: Why the Top Ranking?

Eddie Hearn’s promoted fighter Conor Benn is now ranked #2 WBA and #2 WBC at welterweight and is ready to fight for a world title against another champion.

Hearn should be happy to see Benn rated more in those two punishing frames without having to face one of the more talented contenders for that spot. Benn is 28 years old, and has never been beaten by an opponent in 15 games during his career. His best wins were against old rivals Chris Algieri and Chris Van Heerden.

It almost seems unfair that Benn moved up to the top of the 147-lb rankings with the WBA and WBC after losing several low-ranked fights.

Conor Benn’s latest win

– Peter Dobson
– Rodolfo Orozco
– Chris Van Heerden

It’s not good for the fans if Benn is thrown by one of the champions at 147 and is presented as a job with a lot of attention, which is how many view him.

Beating those boxers does not prepare Conor Benn to compete with any welterweight champion because those are not world class guys. Unless Hearn is focused on Benn’s big money-making fight, he needs to be framed appropriately by matching him up against fighters like Alexis Rocha, Shakhram Giyasov, Derriek Cuevas, and Egidijus Kavaliauskas.

Hearn hasn’t said anything about his strategy for Benn to fight at welterweight, but it’s reasonable to assume he’ll keep him away from IBF champion Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis. That would not be a competitive battle. Benn would have been a perfect fit. Eddie would like to make a fight between Benn and Chris Eubank Jr at middleweight, as that would be a big money fight in the UK.

If Hearn chooses to match Benn with another champion at 147, the obvious choice would be WBC belt holder Mario Barrios. American fans would be more interested in seeing a fight between Benn and Barrios than they would be if Conor challenged WBA champion Eimantas Stanionis.

UK fans are easy to please, as they don’t care which of the two champions Conor Benn challenges. They just want to see Benn fight for the world title, even if he hasn’t beaten anyone to get a chance.