Following a recent middleweight bout against rival Chris Eubank Jr, a clash continuing their family legacies, Conor Benn might now set his sights on a world title, potentially encouraged by the latest update to the IBF world rankings.
Despite previous victories over Rodolfo Orozco and Peter Dobson, Benn had not been ranked at 154 lbs (super-welterweight). However, his recent fight at 160 lbs resulted in his entry into the IBF super-welterweight rankings at position #5. His professional record stands at 23-1 with 13 knockouts.
Known as ‘The Destroyer,’ Benn might face a waiting period for a world title opportunity if he pursues the IBF super-welterweight path, as champion Bakhram Murtazaliev is scheduled to defend against mandatory challenger Erickson Lubin later this year.
Meanwhile, Josh Kelly (16-1-1, 8 KOs) from Sunderland has also entered the super-welterweight rankings, placed one spot higher than Benn at #4. Kelly is set to return to the division for a fight against Flavius Biea on June 6 in Newcastle.
Kelly hasn`t competed at super-welterweight since 2023. He was previously ranked #6 at middleweight following his majority-decision victory over Ishmael Davis in September 2024 on the undercard of the Dubois-Joshua event at Wembley Stadium.
In other ranking news, Aaron McKenna (20-0, 10 KOs) of Ireland has climbed from #15 to #9 in the middleweight rankings. This move follows his dominant performance and win against Liam Smith on the undercard of the Eubank-Benn event.
Also featured on that card were cruiserweight contenders Chris Billam-Smith (21-2, 13 KOs) and Viddal Riley (13-0, 7 KOs). Billam-Smith secured a win over Brandon Glanton, while Riley defeated Cheavon Clarke.
These victories have resulted in both fighters entering the IBF cruiserweight (200 lbs) rankings. Billam-Smith is back in world title contention at #4, and newly crowned British champion Riley is positioned at #15.
Furthermore, Ben Whittaker (9-0-1, 6 KOs) needed only two rounds last month to defeat Liam Cameron in a rematch, silencing his critics and moving from #15 to #12 in the light-heavyweight rankings. Concurrently, super-middleweight Callum Simpson (17-0, 12 KOs) has advanced from #10 to #7 before his European title challenge against Ivan Zucco of Italy next month.
Finally, Richard Riakporhe (18-1, 14 KOs) made a successful heavyweight debut on the undercard of the Canelo-Scull fight in Riyadh, securing a stoppage win against Kevin Espindola. This performance earned him a place in the heavyweight world rankings, entering the IBF list at #14.
