Conor Benn rejects chance to face welterweight world champion next

Conor Benn has recently revealed his plans to return to 147lbs, but ‘The Destroyer’ has shut down talks of a potential clash with one reigning champion in the division.

Benn overcame Chris Eubank Jr in their rematch to level the scores, but all the talk during the aftermath has been fixated on Benn’s return to the welterweight scene, rather than a third middleweight showdown between the two fierce rivals.

Despite not fighting at welterweight since 2022, Benn was eyeing up a shot at Mario Barrios’ WBC world title on his debut at the weight, but the Texan now looks set for a fight against Ryan Garcia.

As a result, Benn is left pondering whether he should wait to fight the victor of Barrios-Garcia, prepare for that contest with a non-title bout, or face an alternate champion – with each of Rolando Romero (WBA), Devin Haney (WBO) and Lewis Crocker (IBF) interested in a meeting with Benn.

Yet, in an interview with Boxing News, Benn declared his lack of interest in a battle with Belfast’s Crocker, admitting that the IBF’s 10-pound rehydration clause would be an issue for him.

“I’m not really interested [in Lewis Crocker]. There is bigger fish to fry in my opinion, although he is the IBF [world champion], he is not really a name that is on my radar.

“For me, it’s about the 10-pound rehydration [clause]. I would rather win the WBC [belt], for me, that is my main goal, or a big American name.

“Maybe I can come over here [to the United States], headline in [Las] Vegas and fight the likes of Rolly [Romero], [Ryan] Garcia and [Mario] Barrios. I believe we would do a good show in Vegas.

Instead, Crocker could be set for a mandatory defence next, in what would be his first fight as IBF welterweight champion, with a final eliminator between Liam Paro and former foe Paddy Donovan taking place on Friday, January 16.