Hearn Slams Slams Pacquiao’s title shot, but admits that it can open the door for Benn Fight

Eddie Hearn closed the world title of Manny Pacquiao – but in the same breath says it could pave the way for a fight with Conor Benn.

Pacquiao – four years retired and without a victory since 2019 – is confronted with WBC Welterweight World champion Mario Barrios on July 19.

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The Filipino boxing icon retired in 2021 After a defeat against Yordenis Ugas – but continued to tease a comeback.

In 2023 he was even in conversation to fight Bennwho was in the middle of his British anti-doping case at the time.

Benn’s promoter Hearn is not a fan of Pacquiao Back to a title shot after so many years out and without victory.

But if Pacman would win that it could be confusing the door confusing for a fight with Benn if the 28-year-old falls back to Welterweight.

Hearn said to Sunsport: “When we looked at the Pacquiao fight, it came to two years ago, for the first time, there was no world title on the line.

“It was a big name. We received a lot of criticism of that, but I don’t think Pacquiao should fight for a world title, but good luck for him when he gets through.

“I don’t think he will do it. But you know, as soon as Conor Benn falls to 147, he will be looking for world titles.”

Benn had to fight Chris Eank JR In October 2022 he was withdrawn after testing positive on Clomifene – known to stimulate testosterone.

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He was provisionally suspended by the British Boxing Board of Control – while promising to prove his innocence.

Eventually the case was dropped against Benn, in the meantime he had two 150 pounds of catch -weight victories in America.

He was then opposed to Eank Jr, 35, in a middleweight resentment competition in April – lost a thriller in 12 rounds set with the rematch set for September 20.

So Benn will remain in the middle of the middle for the time being – the hope for a good weight world title.

Pacquiao’s adviser Sean Gibbons was forced to defend the comeback title of the eight-division champion in the midst of criticism from Hearn & Co.

Gibbons told us: “There should be no criticism. Manny Pacquiao who returns, didn’t have to be arranged anywhere. He just needed the chance.

“He earned it for what he did in the sport. I mean, people can criticize it all day. Klitschko did it, he came back very successfully.

“I can show you ten guys in that ranking, who don’t even have to be arranged, so don’t be about it!

“Manny Pacquiao, with 75 percent the majority of the top 20 could beat. So people will always be criticism.”

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