Conor Benn has benefited from the WBC’s latest rankings update, being bumped up one spot from seventh to sixth.
The undefeated welterweight was reinstated into the rankings in March after the sanctioning body found that there was ‘no evidence of intentional ingestion’ of Clomiphene relating to a failed test from 2022 through its Clean Boxing Programme.
Whilst the conclusion that too many eggs had caused the positive result left boxing fans baffled – and even Benn said he didn’t agree – he has been welcomed back into the league table of top 147lb contenders.
Benn was reintroduced at number 7 in the rankings, giving him the ability to fight under the WBC’s banner and compete for its titles.
The March 25 contest between Canada’s Cody Crowley and USA’s Abel Ramos has changed things, though, with Crowley’s majority decision victory seeing Ramos knocked down from number 6 to number 11.
The undefeated Canadian has been slotted in up at number 2 now, behind Keith Thurman and ahead of Yordenis Ugas, whilst the fall of Ramos has let Benn slide in at number 6. Ahead of him are Mario Barrios and Souleymane Cissokho.
Considering he hasn’t fought since April of 2022, it’s a result for the 26-year-old, and a step closer to current champion, Errol Spence Jr.
These rankings are the only ones Benn currently finds himself in, though, with the shadow of his doping scandal still hanging over him in the eyes of many. In fact, The Ring Magazine panel recently decided to remove him, citing the fact that the British Boxing Board of Control have been unable to investigate the drugs tests fully.
Because of that, Benn is set for a ring return overseas. He’s likely to be out in Abu Dhabi on June 3, although his promoter, Eddie Hearn, hasn’t ruled a trip to the States.
In terms of opponents, the names that have been mentioned consistently are Manny Pacquiao and Chris Eubank Jr – neither of which should boost the WBC ranking given one is retired and the other is a middleweight.