Conor Benn, a little over one week away from his shot at WBC welterweight boss Ryan Garcia, has revealed the extent of his struggle to make 147lbs for the first time in more than four years.
Benn, 25-1 (14 KOs), stopped Chris van Heerden inside two rounds in April 2022 and though he’s fought five times since he’s not fought at welterweight since.
He had been expected to move up to face Chris Eubank Jnr in October 2022 in a catchweight battle until it emerged that he’d failed two PED tests, five weeks apart, in the build-up.
He defeated Rodolfo Orozco and Peter Dobson in America while trying to clear his name. The appetite for the Eubank showdown remained fierce, however.
In April 2025, after an expensive legal battle to clear his name at last resulted in him being permitted to fight in the UK again, he lost over 12 rounds to Eubank in a middleweight match.
The contest was so thrilling, the rematch came along seven months later. Eubank, a shell of himself, was widely outpointed over the championship distance. Again, it was set at 160lbs.
Eubank, ahead of both bouts, complained about the weight limit and rehydration clauses in his contract.
In December last year, Benn’s team convinced the WBC that he should be the mandatory contender at 147lbs. The reasons for that have never really been made clear.
Benn soon joined forces with Zuffa Boxing, after previously being guided by Matchroom, and defeated Regis Prograis, while weighing 149.5lbs, in April.
He now challenges Garcia on September 12.
“It’s hard, it is brutal, but we are getting it done,” Benn told Ring Magazine about his battle to make 147lbs.
“I’m not going to be complaining and moaning. I know what I signed up for.
“You are not going to see me posting posts for sympathy in sweat suits or me crying.
“I’m getting paid handsomely. I’m fighting for a world title and headlining a mega fight in Las Vegas. What is there to moan about?
“Listen, we know what we sign up for. Don’t sign the contract and want sympathy.
“Yes, it’s going to be hard; yes, it is taking a piece out of my soul and my spirit to get down in weight; yes, it is excruciating, but it’s part of the job. It’s hard; your body is screaming.
“There’s no excuses – it’s just my last fight at 147[lbs] to dominate, get the belt and move on,” Benn continued.
“Then [I’ll move up to] 168[lbs]. Yeah, I won’t be doing 154[lbs]. No way…
“This was always going to be my last fight at 147[lbs].
“It’s for the WBC world title. I wanted a world title shot at the weight I started my career at.
“I sidetracked with the Eubank fight, but all roads have led back to this.”
