Cissokho ‘Hurt’ After WBC Snubs for Pacquiao and Benn

Unbeaten French boxer Souleymane Cissokho has expressed his disappointment and hurt after being repeatedly bypassed for a WBC welterweight world-title opportunity. Despite winning the WBC Silver welterweight title in December 2022 and defeating Egidijus Kavaliauskas in a final eliminator in May 2025, Cissokho has seen other fighters leapfrog him in the rankings.

The WBC allowed a returning Manny Pacquiao to challenge champion Mario Barrios ahead of Cissokho, before later installing Conor Benn as the mandatory challenger. Although Benn recently lost to Ryan Garcia, Cissokho's team is actively contacting WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman to ensure he is not overlooked for his earned title shot.