The Destroyer, 29, is looking for revenge against Next Gen, 36, in their upcoming bout on November 15 at London’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, but Benn has now been dropped from the IBF’s top 15 ranking.

Benn had been in the top 10 after fighting twice at 154 lbs - beating Rodolfo Orozco, 26, and Peter Dobson, 35 - but has not got in the ring at that weight since February 2024.

Even so, Benn isn’t upset the IBF have removed him, as he wants to challenge El Azteca, 30, for his WBA welterweight title next.

Speaking with Ring Magazine, Benn said: “I’ve only gone up [to middleweight] to smash up Eubank. But my business will be at welterweight after that.

“His belt has got my name on it. The WBC world title is the belt I want. I will go over to America and beat the champion.”

Recently, Eubank Jr. revealed he rejected calls to retire following his first fight with Benn.

He told Sky Sports: “I've heard people suggest that, 36 years old, achieved so much, fight of the year, what more does he need to do? Maybe he should retire.

“Why go through all that again? Because the truth is I don't need to. Because if we're talking about financial stability, I'm set for life. So I don't need to be doing this anymore.

“I still feel fresh. I still feel capable. I still have that hunger and that fire and that desire to get up to train every day, to better myself as a fighter, to perform in front of the fans.

“So retirement is just not in my mindset right now. You guys are going to be seeing me for a while.”

Next Gen explained his father Chris Eubank, 59, had recommeded retirement to him after he defeated Benn in April, though the boxer insisted he was not in the right headspace to consider walking away from the ring then.

He explained: “He had the conversation with me and I told him, ‘This is not the time, old man.’

“He retired at 32 so in his mind he can't understand how I'm still doing what I'm doing at 36. So I get it. But he's not me. He doesn't feel what I feel in the gyms and in these rings.”