Conor Benn Waits On Garcia–Barrios For WBC Title Shot

Conor Benn is currently waiting for a title opportunity at welterweight, positioned as the mandatory challenger for the WBC belt held by Mario Barrios. The situation leaves Benn in a holding pattern while the division waits for the outcome of Barrios’ upcoming fight against Ryan Garcia.

Benn is ranked No. 1 by the WBC and is in line to face the winner of the Barrios–Garcia bout, scheduled for February 21, 2026. Until that fight takes place, Benn does not need to take another contest. His next move depends entirely on the result.

A potential fight with Garcia is viewed as the preferred outcome from Benn’s side. Garcia remains one of the sport’s more recognizable figures, and a matchup between the two would likely carry significant commercial value. A stadium fight in the United Kingdom has been talked about, though it remains unclear whether the matchup would justify a venue the size of Wembley Stadium.

Another option that has been mentioned is a Cinco de Mayo date in Las Vegas in May 2026. That location would align with Garcia’s fan base, much of which is concentrated in Southern California and Nevada. No official plans have been announced.

Benn is expected to move directly into a title fight at 147 pounds rather than taking a warm-up bout. He has not competed at welterweight since April 2022, when he faced Chris van Heerden. Since then, Benn has fought twice at junior middleweight and most recently at middleweight in two bouts against Chris Eubank Jr.

The weight cut back to 147 pounds is expected to be key. Benn will need to drop a lot of weight after several years away from the division. This raises questions about how smoothly the transition will go.

Some fans have criticized the WBC’s decision to rank Benn at No. 1 without a recent fight at welterweight. The concern centers on the length of time Benn has spent outside the division and whether his position should have been earned after a return bout. As things stand, Benn remains first in line, waiting for the outcome of Garcia-Barrios.

Olly Campbell has been covering boxing since 2014, offering readers a clear ringside perspective and thoughtful analysis on many of the sport’s biggest nights. His work focuses on fighter tendencies, corner adjustments, and the technical details that shape high-level bouts. Over the years, Olly has reported on major cards in Las Vegas, New York, London, and across the UK boxing circuit, earning a reputation for levelheaded, detail-driven coverage.

Click here to subscribe to our FREE newsletter