BOXING
Pacquiao negotiating return vs. Benn for June
The Filipino superstar wants to get out of retirement with a fight against unbeaten Conor Benn that would take place in June in UAE.
Manny Pacquiao retired one and a half years ago, but he’s ready to return to the ring. The Filipino superstar is in talks for a big fight in Abu Dhabi against Conor Benn on June 3rd.
The 44-year-old boxer (62-8-2, 39 KOs), considered one of the best fighters of all time, wants to face 26-year-old Benn (21-0, 14 KOs) in his return to the sport.
Boxing insider Mike Coppinger reported the news of Pacquiao getting out of retirement to fight Benn, who gave up his license to box after testing positive for clomiphene, a fertility drug that elevates testosterone levels in men, ahead of his bout vs. Chris Eubank Jr. last October.
Although Benn has no license to fight in the UK, he can do it outside the country, and The Pac-Man seems to be the chosen one, although he has the Kell Brook and Eubank Jr. options in case a deal to fight Pacquiao can’t be made.
Benn’s promoter Eddie Hearn admitted that the young undefeated boxer is in talks for a megafight with the Asian fighter.
“We are in the process of selecting Conor Benn’s next opponent and have been in active talks with Manny Pacquiao’s team,” Hearn told ESPN.
Pacquiao, the only eight-division world champion in boxing history, last faced Cuban fighter Yordenis Ugás, who came out on top via unanimous decision in August 2021.
The last time Benn fought was in April 2022, when he defeated Chris van Heerden by TKO in the second round.