go through Craig Daly: Manny Pacquiao and Conor Benn discuss a June 3 fight in Abu Dhabi. Superstar Manny Pacquiao (62-8-2, 39 KOs), coming to the end of a two-year retirement, could face popular British welterweight Ben (21-0, 14 KO).
Pacquiao, 44, has not fought in two years since his narrow loss to Yodenis Ugarth in August 2021, and is poised to resume his career following a failed Philippine presidential bid.
MP Promotions’ Sean Gibbons spoke to ESPN’s Mike Coppinger about the negotiations between Pacquiao and Conor Benn. Gibbons said Pacquiao is interested in the fight and it’s up to Ben’s promoter Eddie Hearn whether they’re ready to move in that direction.
“Pacquiao is in talks for a welterweight fight with British star Conor Ben. The match will be held in Abu Dhabi, UAE on June 3,” said Mike Coppinger. ESPN.
“He retired for a minute to run for president of the Philippines, finishing a respectable third,” Sean Gibbons said. “After that, he felt like his retirement was for running for president.
“This fight [Benn] Eddie Hearn pitched him the book, and he said yes. The ball was in Eddie Hearn’s court. Pacquiao is ready. “
The biggest problem for the 26-year-old Benn against Pacquiao is the huge gap in experience. Never in his career has Benn met someone as talented as Pacquiao.
It would be a crime to mix a fledgling Benn with a fighter like Pacquiao because he is not ready for a fighter of this level.
Connor has dealt with kids Gloves Designed by Hearn who made sure to keep him with older guys who were never geniuses, even when they were younger.
If you put Benn and Pacquiao together, the results are pretty clear. If Ben couldn’t knock down his opponent quickly, he would be eliminated.
Benn’s best opponents so far have been these guys: Chris Algieri, Sebastian Fumera, Adrian Granados, Samuel Vargas and Chris Vanheede Elden.
Benn has two other options, the recently eliminated Chris Eubank Jr. and the retired former welterweight champion Kyle Brook. It’s unclear whether those fights will rival Pacquiao’s.
Brooke remains popular among older boxing fans who remember his brief peak of fame from 2014 to 2016, but that was so long ago that he was largely forgotten.
As for Chris Eubank Jr., he was recently knocked out by fringe junior welterweight contender Liam Smith. The loss of Eubank Jr could tarnish the fight with Benn.
“We’re picking Conor Benn’s next opponent And have been in active talks with Manny Pacquiao’s team,” Hearn told ESPN.