Manny Pacquiao vs Conor Benn 60% Chance Of Happening?

With the WBC’s clearing off British star Conor Benn in recent weeks, the 26-year-old welterweight is looking to get his career back on track after almost a year out of the ring. Eddie Hearn, the promoter of Benn, has revealed that Benn’s next fight will take place in either the US or the Middle East due to his inability to box in the UK at the moment.

Hearn confirmed to The Guardian that he is attempting to secure a US boxing licence for Benn so the 21-0 fighter can resume his career. Matchroom Boxing is planning a show in Abu Dhabi, UAE on June 3 which is an option for Benn’s next bout.

Both Team Benn and boxing legend Manny Pacquaio have touted the idea of a fight between them in recent weeks. On March 2, Sean Gibbons from Team Pacquiao posted a fan poster of Pacquiao vs Benn on Twitter which Benn quote tweeted ‘👀👀 anytime’. Gibbons then responded by saying he is ‘Waiting on Eddie Hearn!’ and that the Senator (Pacquiao) is ‘ready to Rumble!!’.

Some fans have doubted the possibility of a fight between the pair but both teams have confirmed discussions in recent weeks.

Sean Gibbons (Team Pacquiao)

Last night, Sean Gibbons spoke about the potential fight in an interview with Fight Hype.

“They’re not rumours, their discussions but it’s a long way to go. Would people love to see Manny in the ring? Yeah (against) Conor? Yeah, two big names. It’s kind of just been thrown out there, it’s like an idea that Eddie Hearn had and Manny said I’m up to hear about it.”

Although the reaction to the fight has been mixed, there is no doubt that it would be a major event.

“But until Conor got cleared by the WBC for the issues with the test, Manny wouldn’t fight him. Now the guy is clear, so if it can happen, I think it’ll be a fun fight. I know the man was cleared and I got to give him the benefit of the doubt. I had fighters like Orlando Salido they said tested positive for nandrolone, I know Orlando Salido never did a thing in his life. I give the guy the benefit of the doubt.”

Gibbons is accepting of both the WBC’s ruling and Conor Benn’s protestation of his innocence, citing similar situations he has been involved in.

Speaking on the chances of the fight happening, Gibbons said it was “A little better than 50-50” but he hoped “60-40”. Gibbons expects the clash to land “in the Middle East somewhere.”

Eddie Hearn (Team Benn)

Hearn spoke about the bout amongst other things to the Matchroom Boxing YouTube channel in an interview release today.

The British promoter once again confirms what he has said in a recent interview regarding Benn’s next contest and expects a return within the next 12 or so weeks meaning an announcement is not far off. “Conor Benn is pretty much ready to go, end of May/early June. Most likely that’ll be in America or the Middle East.”

“There have been a number of negotiations for a long time with Sean Gibbons, Manny Pacquiao and his team about a fight in the Middle East and about fighting Conor Benn. I think it’s a tremendous fight, a big fight for Conor Benn to come back to. The eyes of the world will be watching Conor Benn. He’s ready to explode back on the scene and it could be Manny Pacquiao.”

Hearn doesn’t give up too much information about Benn vs Pacquiao but does seem to be optimistic about the fight. Pacquiao has had a storied career but hasn’t laced up the gloves in a professional ring since August 2021. However, an exhibition bout last December tells us that the hunger is still there for the Filipino legend and a huge purse/opportunity may bring him back for one last dance.

By Darshan Desai