RISING welterweight British boxer Conor Benn is gunning for former eight-division Filipino world champion Manny Pacquiao should the chance occur, the popular ring website, boxingscene.com reported yesterday (Tuesday in the US).
In a report written by Tris Dixon, the unbeaten Benn, 27, went out of his way to meet Pacquiao during the heavyweight clash between former English world champ Anthony Joshua and Cameroon’s Francis Ngannou in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia over the weekend.
“That’s what I was there for, really,” said the son of former middleweight and super middleweight king Nigel Benn of his decision to spend 72 hours in the Saudi capital.
“I knew he (Pacquiao) was going to be there. Right now, that’s looking like the one that we’re focusing on,” added the undefeated orthodox prizefighter, who has 24 wins, 13 of them by knockout, who is promoted by Matchroom honcho Eddie Hearn.
“I say to that, he (Pacquiao) wants to fight me,” Benn claimed. “He’s mentioned my name, his manager [Sean Gibbons], but also it’s not like I haven’t chased the other 147s (world welterweight champs). How many times have I got to mention the 147 names?”
A video reposted by Sean Gibbons, the head of MP Promotions that Pacquiao owns, on Twitter showed the two boxers standing face to face just before the fight between Joshua and Ngannou while a separate picture showed Benn shaking hands with Pacquiao at ringside.
Gibbons was quoted as saying that Turki Al-Sheik, who reputedly presides over the Saudi sports and entertainment industry, wants the fight done.
Pacquiao, who sports a record of 62 wins (39 KOs), eight losses and two draws, has not fought seriously since losing his World Boxing Association super welterweight crown by unanimous decision to crafty counter-punching Cuban Yordenis Ugas on Sept. 8, 2021 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Now 45, the Filipino southpaw has been itching to get back into the ring after the outcome of that match forced him into retirement.
Benn, however, does not consider the popular Pinoy ring icon as quite that old.
“But also, he’s (Pacquiao’s) old until he’s not old,” Benn said. “People will always have something to say… He fought Ugas two years ago, but I’m not going to turn down the offer to fight a legend if the offer is out to me. It would make no sense.”
