Conor Benn has been reinstated into the World Boxing Council’s welterweight rankings for the second time this year.
The 26-year-old was originally removed due to returning positive doping tests in 2022. The WBC then conducted an investigation which concluded his “documented and highly-elevated consumption of eggs during the times relevant to the sample collection, raised a reasonable explanation for the adverse finding.”
This verdict led to him being included in the March update.
Although in good standing with the WBC at that time, he was still under investigation by the British Boxing Board of Control – a process that is currently ongoing in the form of an appeal of its result – and was removed from the sanctioning body’s rankings again in July following inactivity and not having a fight scheduled.
Now free to box but without a British license, Benn has returned to the ring in a ten-rounder against Rodolfo Orozco in Florida, his first fight and win at the super-welterweight limit of 154lbs.
In the WBC’s latest update, the undefeated Brit has been included at number five for the top welterweights. He is behind number one Cody Crowley, Souleymane Cissokho, Josh Taylor and David Avanseyan. Mario Barriois – previously number four – has been removed from the top ten entirely.
Reacting to the news, Benn said he was gunning for the number one spot.
Back in the @WBCBoxing top 5 where I belong. Number 1 very soon #TheDestroyerpic.twitter.com/N6CMoChwYu
— Conor Nigel Benn (@ConorNigel) November 15, 2023
Despite the goal of a world title in the 147 ranks, his next fight is expected to be up at 160. He is in final negotiations to face Chris Eubank Jr early next year at the middleweight limit, with promoter Eddie Hearn confident he can make the event happen despite the appeal process with the BBBofC still ongoing.