Conor Benn could be prepared to sacrifice his WBC mandatory position in order to pursue a different welterweight world title opportunity in what has been described as a “very big fight.” The 29-year-old Londoner currently sits as the WBC’s leading contender after his November rematch victory over Chris Eubank Jr. contested at 160lbs.
That win placed Benn in line to face the winner of the February 21 clash between Mario Barrios and Ryan Garcia at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. However, rather than waiting for that pathway to clear, Benn may instead look toward a showdown with Rolando Romero, the current WBA world welterweight champion.
Romero secured his title with a points victory over Garcia in May and was subsequently elevated from ‘regular’ to full champion. He has since been ordered by the WBA to defend against interim titleholder Shakhram Giyasov, who has long held mandatory status. Despite that, Benn’s promoter Eddie Hearn has indicated that discussions are underway to find a solution that could allow Benn to face Romero next.
Hearn confirmed he has already spoken with Romero’s manager and plans further talks involving Benn’s team when Benn travels to New York next week. While acknowledging that a fight with Garcia could represent a bigger commercial opportunity, Hearn suggested that a Benn–Romero bout for the world championship, particularly in the UK, would still be a major event and one he personally favors.
Complicating matters further is the wider welterweight picture, with speculation that the winner of Barrios vs. Garcia could instead pursue a bout with the winner of Teofimo Lopez vs. Shakur Stevenson, who meet next week at Madison Square Garden.
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