Manny Pacquiao’s Advisor Says Conor Benn Fight Won’t Happen Until The Brit’s ‘Completely Cleared’ From Drug Tests
Manny Pacquiao is interested in having exhibition matches but one opponent, Conor Benn won’t be considered until he is cleared from his positive drug tests.
Benn was flagged for Clomifene – a fertility drug that, when used by men, is known to promote the growth of testosterone – which caused his fight against Chris Eubank Jr. to be off. However, Benn has been vocal about his innocence but Pacquiao’s advisor Sean Gibbons says the Benn won’t fight happen until he is cleared.
“Manny is looking to return to the ring for exhibitions and real fights, but the consensus between all parties is that until Conor Benn gets a green light from the WBC or whatever party is overseeing this investigation on the suspension, until he is completely cleared nobody really wants to talk about it,” Gibbons told iD Boxing (h/t BoxingScene). “But, yeah, there’s a potential for sure if Conor Benn is clear. If not we would’ve loved to have fought [retired welterweight champion] Kell Brook, who I see is talking about wanting to do one more [fight]. In general, Manny is happy. He wants to do some exhibitions, he still feels he’s got stuff for the fans.”
According to Gibbons, Manny Pacquiao is heading to England to do autographs and while he is there, he may do an exhibition matchup. But, if he does, as long as Benn hasn’t fully been cleared it won’t be against him.
“He’s coming here in England to do a three-city tour, autographs and stuff, so whatever it may be, I see him doing a little boxing like he did in Korea in December,” Gibbons continued. “On the Conor Benn subject there has to be some kind of closure on this whole issue with the positive tests he had and once that’s done then absolutely a lot of discussions can happen.”
Pacquiao last fought professionally in 2021 when he lost a decision to Yordenis Ugas for the WBA super welterweight title. The loss dropped his record to 62-8-2 and snapped his three-fight winning streak. He did have an exhibition match in December of 2022 and picked up a decision win over DK Yoo.
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