Manny Pacquiao, former eight-weight world champion, has expressed his desire to make a comeback to the ring and face the controversial British boxer, Conor Benn, in Abu Dhabi this summer.
However, this announcement has been met with disapproval from numerous figures in the sport.
Legendary boxing promoter Bob Arum has expressed his disappointment over Manny Pacquiao's proposed comeback fight against the controversial British prospect Conor Benn in Abu Dhabi this summer, calling it "sad".
Pacquiao retired from the sport in August 2021 following a surprising loss to Yordenis Ugas in Las Vegas, but now seems set on returning to the ring for one more fight. Pacquiao has reportedly targeted Benn as his next opponent, with the young Brit currently unable to fight in his home country.
Scheduled for June 3 in the Middle East, the match-up between Manny Pacquiao and Conor Benn is causing quite a stir in the boxing community as Benn's recent issues with drugs testing have raised concerns for fellow Brits like Chris Eubank Jr, who are hesitant to accept the fight. Benn failed two drugs tests in 2022 after testing positive for clomiphene, and despite being re-entered into the WBC rankings at 147lb, he has yet to be cleared by the British Boxing Board of Control due to these violations.
And iconic promoter Arum, who was a key player in Pacquiao's historic fight with Floyd Mayweather that became the biggest in the sport's history, has expressed his disappointment in seeing the legend return to the ring. “That’s sort of sad, because he is 45 [Pacquiao is 44],” Arum told Little Giant Boxing.
“But I know he always stays in good shape. And I wish him nothing but the best, but it’s just sad at the age of [44] that he feels it necessary to pursue a boxing career.”
Bob Arum and Manny Pacquiao put on many shows together at the height of the fighter's career.
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