Former eight-division champion, Manny Pacquiao, is planning to return to the boxing ring this year.
ESPN's Mike Coppinger reported on Tuesday that he's confirmed with MP Promotions President, Sean Gibbons, that Pacquiao is currently engaged in negotiations for a fight with undefeated British welterweight prospect, Conor Benn. The matchup has a target date of June 3 with either Abu Dhabi or the U.K. as the host site for the event.
"He retired for a minute to run for President of the Philippines, where he took a respectful third place," said Gibbons told ESPN. "And after that, he felt that his retirement was due to running for president, and now that [he wasn't elected], he wants to fight again and feels like he can do it at the highest level. Manny is an all-time great and he feels like he still has a lot of fight left in him and he still wants to compete at the highest level. And this fight [vs. Benn] was presented to him by [promoter] Eddie Hearn, and he agreed. Ball is in Eddie Hearn's court. Pacquiao ready to go."
Pacquiao who announced his retirement back in August 2021, is 62-8-2 as a pro and lost a unanimous decision to former WBA welterweight champ, Yordenis Ugás, in his last appearance also back in August 2021. Benn meanwhile is the son of former two-division champion, Nigel Benn, and is 21-0 currently. He defeated former IBO champ, Chris van Heerden, via a second-round TKO, last April in his most recent bout.
.@ConorNigel’s power is the REAL DEAL -- #BennVanHeerden
— ESPN Ringside (@ESPNRingside) April 16, 2022
(via @DAZNBoxing) pic.twitter.com/DJjM4Ty2i8
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