WITH former eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao reputedly eager to come out of retirement, the name of undefeated British knockout artist Conor Benn has emerged as a likely opponent for the Pinoy ring icon’s comeback fight, according to noted British promoter Eddie Hearn.
“Manny Pacquiao contacted us the other day. He contacted us for the fight, his people. So, I don’t think there are many (boxers) that aren’t calling out Conor Benn…Absolutely (I’d make Benn vs. Pacquiao),” said Hearn in an interview with the YouTube Channel Boxing Social last Sunday.
“(American promoter) Bob Arum was talking about (Pacquiao) fighting Josh Taylor…Is Conor Benn better than Josh Taylor? I think so,” said the veteran ring impresario, referring to the boxer dubbed “The Destroyer,” who has an immaculate record of 23 wins, spiked by 14 knockouts.
The 5-foot-8 Benn, 27, has an impressive ring pedigree, being the son of former world champion Nigel Benn, who once held the World Boxing Organization middleweight and World Boxing Council super-middleweight belts.
Sporting a record of 62 wins (39 KOs), eight losses and two draws, Pacquiao, 45, hasn’t fought seriously since losing his World Boxing Association super welterweight title to crafty counter punching Cuban Yordenis Ugas by unanimous decision on Aug. 8, 2021 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Should it push through, Pacman would be on the short end in both height, heft and age, although this has never stopped the irrepressible pride from General Santos City from taking on huge challenges before.
The Pinoy boxing superstar, who is comfortable fighting as a welterweight and above, might also negotiate for a catchweight to even the odds against the taller, heavier and younger Benn, who fights in the light middleweight or 154-pound division.
In a separate interview over the weekend, MP promotions chief Sean Gibbons told World Boxing News writer Phil Jay that his boss’s decision to come out of retirement would hinge on whether he would be able to compete for the country in the Paris Olympics.
Although overaged, Pacquiao, the country’s flag-bearer in the 2008 Beijing Olympiad, has requested Philippine Olympic Committee president and Tagaytay City Mayor Bambol Tolentino for a special slot to compete for the Philippines in the quadrennial meet.
“If the Philippine Olympic Committee cannot secure their superstar entrant a place (by March), a professional fight could follow later in the year,” the report by Jay said. “Pacquiao remains in retirement until a suitable contract comes his way.”
The same report refuted claims that an exhibition match with muay thai star Buakaw Banchamek in Bangkok, Thailand was off.
