Conor Benn has been accused by Devin Haney, one of his newest rivals, of having no desire to face a former world champion at 154lbs.
Benn and Haney have engaged in a social media tussle over the past few days, paving the way for a potential future showdown between the pair.
With the latter having claimed his WBO world welterweight title last Saturday by outpointing and dethroning Brian Norman Jr, he is now sporting a target on his back at 147lbs.
Benn, meanwhile, has expressed his ambition to move back down to the division after exacting his revenge over Chris Eubank Jr earlier this month.
Their rematch, while not delivering the same action-packed spectacle as their first encounter, ultimately saw Benn score a wide unanimous decision victory over his middleweight rival.
Since then, the 29-year-old has ruled out a possible clash with world welterweight champion Lewis Crocker, insisting that the IBF’s 10lbs rehydration policy – which he twice enforced against Eubank – does not appeal to him.
Instead, Benn has turned his attention towards the likes of WBC world champion Mario Barrios, Haney, and even Shakur Stevenson, while not naming any potential opponents at super-welterweight.
Nevertheless, American trainer Stephen Edwards has suggested on social media that the Brit is directly avoiding Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis, a former unified welterweight champion who made his 154lb debut last month.
“I have a good question. [Conor] Benn suggested Haney runs [and their matchup] won’t make [for] an entertaining fight.
“Well he’s with Matchroom, [and] Matchroom has a fighter who doesn’t run [and] is criticized for having poor defence in Boots Ennis.
“Why don’t they make THAT exciting fight?”
Shortly after Edwards posted his opinion on X, Haney chimed in with his own unique viewpoint, suggesting that Benn is genuinely frightened of his Matchroom Boxing stablemate.
“He scared to death of Boots.”
Ennis — who has 31 knockouts from 35 wins — previously held the WBA and IBF titles at 147lbs, and won his first fight at super-welterweight in style with a first round stoppage win over Uisma Lima in October. He is now strongly linked with a fight against knockout artist Vergil Ortiz Jr next year.
Though Benn is adamant welterweight is the place for him, many felt his frame at middleweight could suit a bridge in between at 154. It certainly remains an option for the future.