Talks have started between legendary Manny Pacquiao and controversial Welterweight Conor Benn for a fight, according to Benn’s promoter Eddie Hearn, and Pacquiao’s advisor/promoter Sean Gibbons. It would be a return to the ring for both Pacquiao and Benn after a period of being away from boxing due to different circumstances.
Both of the promoters confirmed that there were official talks between them, but also drove home the point that Conor Benn would have to be cleared to fight given the investigation surrounding his use of PEDs.
“Conor has a situation he has to clear up first, so in the meantime Manny’s just staying active, staying ready. He has a lot left to give, and he wants to still fight a little more, so I hope Conor Benn gets his issues cleared up.” Gibbons said in an interview with IFL TV.
Hearn echoed much of the same, and also seemed anxious in waiting for the WBC to approve Benn to fight.
“We spoke to Sean. We’re still waiting for that WBC decision, but we have mentioned to him about Pacquiao against Conor Benn, and we’ll see.” He stated in the interview he held with iD Boxing.
There are also vocal critics against the fight. Colin Hart, a boxing journalist for nearly seventy years, has expressed his dismay at the potential fight occurring and has noted that monetary gain might be a reason for Pacquiao even considering a fight with Conor Benn at his stage of his career.
“It means one thing to me; that Manny Pacquiao, who owned immense amounts of money, he may have given it all away for him to be even thinking of fighting again against, after all, Conor Benn, (who) was a world-ranked Welterweight.” Hart theorized in an interview with Boxing Social.
With the WBC apparently still deliberating on clearing Benn to fight – after his failed drug test debacle, the potential match-up between the Philippine veteran and Britain’s controversial prospect strongly hangs in the balance on how quick the WBC will be to make a decision.
There is also some irony that can be found in this situation; Hearn has suggested in the past for Pacquiao to sign up for VADA testing to dispel any rumors of drug use or cheating, and Hearn is currently promoting a fighter in Benn who failed two separate tests by VADA.
If arranged, there is a good possibility of their fight taking place in Abu Dhabi of the UAE on June 3rd, according to Hearn’s latest interview. There is also the hope that VADA testing can be arranged for both fighters to ensure and dispel any notion that either fighter are PED-users.
