Benn’s 147 Return Looks Like A Shortcut To A Soft Belt

Conor Benn (24-1, 14 KOs) confirmed last Saturday night that he’s planning on dropping back to 147 pounds in an attempt to claim a world title after defeating Chris Eubank Jr. (35-4, 25 KOs) by a 12-round unanimous decision in their ‘Family Feud’ rematch at middleweight at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, England.

Returning to 147 after three years away is a risky move by Benn, as he last fought in the division on April 16, 2022, knocking out journeyman Chris van Heerden in the second round. That was Benn’s only fight of the year in that weight class.

Four Years Away From Real Welterweight Work

The last time he fought twice a year at welterweight was in 2021. So, essentially, Benn hasn’t campaigned at 147 in four years.

Why returning to 147 is risky for Benn:

• Health Risks from Weight Cut: Dropping from the 170+ pounds to 147 will be difficult for Benn to do at 29 without being drained and much weaker than he was in his victory last night.
• Prolonged Absence: After three years away from the 147-lb division, it’s going to be a hard readjustment for Benn to return to the division. He was facing exclusively second-tier opposition when he campaigned at welterweight from 2016 to 2022. If Conor chooses to fight the creme de la creme fighter at 147, Brian Norman Jr., it could prove to be his Dunkirk. It would be a lesson learned about the dangers of returning to a weight class that your body is no longer suited for.
• Stiff Competition: If Benn intends to fight the apex welterweight champion Norman Jr. instead of the paper champions, Barrios and Rolly, it could be too much for him due to the combination of his limited pedigree and the massive 40-lb weight cut.
• Recovery issues: Conor could find himself in the same depleted, zombie-like state that Eubank Jr. was in last night, draining down from 170+ to fight at welterweight. Again, if Benn chooses to fight the quality welterweights instead of the weak belt-holders, he could be asking for trouble. It depends on whether his focus is on a cheap, superficial goal of winning an easy belt or doing something significant that requires courage, such as fighting Norman Jr. Thus far, Benn’s career has been more superficial, fighting lesser opposition and reaping sacks full of dough from his famous last name. It’s pathetic, but if money rather than true achievement is Benn’s career goal, he’ll take the lesser route by targeting Barrios next.

Barrios and Rolly: The Soft Targets

The two title-holders that Benn mentioned wanting to fight at welterweight, Mario Barrios (WBC) and Rolando ‘Rolly’ Romero (WBA), are viewed by fans as two of the worst the division has seen in decades.

They see those two as textbook examples of paper champions, and a clear sign of the decline of the 147-lb division, showing how fighters with meager talent or maneuvered by promoters into capturing belts. It’s interesting that, of all the champions, Conor Benn is starting at welterweight; it would be Barrios and Rolly.

Somehow, that’s fitting for what Conor’s career has been up to this point. Benn hasn’t followed in his famous father, Nigel Benn’s, footsteps by fighting the best. He’s taken a different route, fighting low-level fighters and a career underachiever, Eubank Jr.

Despite the glowing comments from fans after Benn’s victory over a muscle-wasted, haggard-looking 36-year-old Eubank Jr., Conor appeared beaten up around the face. In terms of facial damage, the 29-year-old Benn looked like the loser.

The scores were 119-107, 116-110, and 118-108, all for Benn. He dropped Eubank Jr. twice in the 12th round, both coming from punches to the back of the head. In other words, rabbit punches. The referee didn’t say anything, so Benn’s knockdowns were credited.

“Money always talks, but how much money do you need? Let me get that world title and it’ll be a box ticked,” said a beaten-up looking Conor Benn at the post-fight press conference last Saturday night, ruling out for now a trilogy match with Chris Eubank Jr. after beating him by a 12-round unanimous decision.