EDDIE HEARN slammed Manny Pacquiao’s world title shot – but in the same breath says it could pave the way for a fight with Conor Benn.
Pacquiao – four years retired and without a win since 2019 – faces WBC welterweight world champion Mario Barrios on July 19.
Manny Pacquiao and Conor Benn in 2023[/caption]
The Filipino boxing icon retired in 2021 after defeat to Yordenis Ugas – but continued to tease a comeback.
In 2023, he was even in talks to fight Benn, who was in the midst of his UK Anti-Doping case at the time.
Benn’s promoter Hearn is not a fan of Pacquiao returning straight into a title shot after so many years out and without victory.
But if PacMan is to win – he says it could confusingly open the door for a fight with Benn should the 28-year-old drop back down to welterweight.
Hearn told SunSport: “When we looked at the Pacquiao fight it was coming up to two years ago now, first time, there was no world title on the line.
“It was a big name. We got a lot of criticism about that but I don’t think Pacquiao should be fighting for a world title but good luck to him if he comes through.
“I don’t think he will. But you know, once Conor Benn drops down to 147, he’ll be looking for world titles.”
Benn was due to fight Chris Eubank Jr in October 2022 but he was withdrawn after testing positive for Clomifene – known to boost testosterone.
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He was provisionally suspended by the British Boxing Board of Control – while vowing to prove his innocence.
Eventually, the case was dropped against Benn meanwhile he had two 150lb catchweight wins in America.
He then faced Eubank Jr, 35, in a middleweight grudge match in April – losing a thriller over 12 rounds with the rematch set for September 20.
So Benn will stay at middleweight for now – dashing hopes of a welterweight world title challenge.
Pacquiao’s advisor Sean Gibbons was forced to defend the eight-division champ’s comeback title shot amid criticism from Hearn & Co.
Gibbons told us: “There should be no criticism. Manny Pacquiao coming back didn’t need to be ranked anywhere. He just needed the opportunity.
“He deserved it for what he’s done in the sport. I mean, people can criticise it all day. Klitschko did it, he came back very successfully.
“I can show you ten guys in that rankings, who shouldn’t even be ranked so don’t be bitching about it!
“Manny Pacquiao, at 75 per cent could beat most of the the top 20. So people are always gonna criticise.”
Sean Gibbons with Manny Pacquiao[/caption]
