Estranged welterweight contender Conor Benn has had well-documented struggles outside of the ring over the last couple of years, halting his momentum and stalling his career. However, it appears as though the controversial 27-year-old is poised for an imminent return to the big stage, after his world rankings has been updates.
Benn famously failed a drugs test ahead of a cross-generational grudge match with Chris Eubank Jr. back in 2022, but he made his comeback in September 2023 with a points win over Rodolfo Orozco across the pond. Just five months later, Benn fought in the United States for a second time, as his prolonged complications with the BBBofC continued, this time outpointing a tough and gritty Peter Dobson in a second consecutive super-welterweight contest.
However, despite rumours of a clash with Manny Pacquiao in Saudi Arabia, Benn is yet to fight since, but that hasn’t stopped the International Boxing Federation (IBF) positioning ‘The Destroyer’ at #3 in their latest world rankings, having previously been unranked.
The Essex-born contender takes the place of Canada’s Cody Crowley, who was scheduled to utilise his status as mandatory challenger to meet with IBF world champion Jaron Ennis last month, only for Crowley to withdraw through injury and be replaced by David Avanesyan – who was knocked out in round five of the bout.
Given that ‘Boots’ Ennis has recently signed with Benn’s promoters (Matchroom Boxing) and rumours have previously circulated that the pair will meet in an in-house battle, there is growing speculation that the IBF’s decision is pointing towards a world title challenge for Benn.
On Instagram, Benn seemingly confirmed these whispers, commenting a handshake emoji on a post that was discussing whether that Boots-Benn was next.
Conor Benn leaving a comment about a potential fight vs IBF welterweight world champion Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis today after he suddenly entered the IBF rankings at #3 – the highest possible position outside of the #1 mandatory spot held by Karen Chukhadzhian (#2 spot is vacant). pic.twitter.com/17lWHMlWP0
— Michael Benson (@MichaelBensonn) August 15, 2024
“Conor Benn leaving a comment about a potential fight vs IBF welterweight world champion Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis today after he suddenly entered the IBF rankings at #3 – the highest possible position outside of the #1 mandatory spot held by Karen Chukhadzhian (#2 spot is vacant).”
True to his word, Benn guaranteed that his return to the ring would be in a major fight, adding that he would not require a ‘warm-up’ or ‘tune-up’ despite not fighting as a welterweight in over two years, and it now appears as though he has got his wish.
“I have always been dangerous anyway, I have always been up for whoever it is, anywhere. That is just who I am. Anyone can get it, at anytime. That is why I have told my team that me coming back and going straight into a big fight is the only thing that is happening. There ain’t going to be no warm-up, there ain’t going to be no tune-ups.”
Benn has also maintained his confidence that his comeback could take place in the United Kingdom, yet the success of Ennis’ homecoming bout against Avanesyan makes that appear unlikely. ‘Boots’ returned to Philadelphia for a first world title fight of his career and fought in front of over 14,000 adoring fans, breaking a million dollars on the gate and delivering in the ring, but it may take a high-profile name such as Benn’s to convince the rest of his country and the world of his quality.
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