Conor Benn to Move Up in Weight After Another Brutal Cut

Just over a week before his WBC welterweight title fight against Ryan Garcia, Conor Benn revealed the immense difficulty he's facing to make the 147-pound (66.7 kg) limit for the first time in over four years.

Benn, boasting a record of 25 wins, 1 loss, and 14 knockouts, last competed at this weight class in April 2022, when he stopped Chris van Heerden in the second round. Although he has fought five times since then, none of those bouts were at welterweight. He was slated to face Chris Eubank Jr. in October 2022 in a catchweight bout, but the fight fell through after it emerged that Benn had failed two drug tests within five weeks during his preparation.

While attempting to clear his name, he defeated Rodolfo Orozco and Peter Dobson in America. However, interest in a clash with Eubank remained high. In April 2025, after a costly legal battle that finally allowed him to fight in the UK again, he lost to Eubank over 12 rounds in a middleweight contest. The encounter was so thrilling that a rematch took place seven months later. In that fight, Eubank was convincingly outboxed in the championship rounds. This bout also took place at 160 pounds (72.5 kg).

Prior to both bouts, Eubank had voiced concerns over the weight restrictions and rehydration clauses in his contract.

Last December, Benn's team convinced the WBC that he should be a mandatory challenger in the 147-pound division. The reasons for this decision were never fully clarified. Soon after, Benn joined forces with Zuffa Boxing, having previously been represented by Matchroom, and in April, he defeated Regis Prograis, weighing in at 149.5 pounds (67.8 kg).

Now, he is set to challenge Garcia on September 12.

“It’s hard, it’s brutal, but we’re getting it done,” Benn told Ring Magazine regarding his struggle to make 147 pounds. “I’m not going to complain and moan. I know what I signed up for. You won’t see me posting pictures with sweat suits on or crying for sympathy. I’m getting paid handsomely. I’m fighting for a world title and headlining a mega-fight in Las Vegas. What do I have to complain about?”

“Yes, it’s going to be hard; yes, it takes a piece of my soul and spirit to get the weight off; yes, it’s agonizing, but it’s part of the job. It’s hard, your body screams. After this, I’ll move up to 168 pounds (76.2 kg). Yes, I won’t be fighting at 154 pounds (69.8 kg). No way…”

“It was always planned for this to be my last fight at 147 pounds. The fight is for the WBC world title. I wanted a world title shot in the division where I started my career.”