Conor Benn has caught the eye of boxing legend Manny Pacquiao as a potential future opponent. The news comes after Benn's recent loss to Chris Eubank Jr. in his first fight at 160 pounds.
Benn fell short against Eubank Jr., losing by unanimous decision. He's now planning to move back down to 147 pounds, where he'll chase championship belts. This weight class aligns perfectly with Pacquiao's plans.
Pacquiao, at 46 years old, is making a comeback to the ring. He's set to face Mario Barrios on July 19 for the WBC world title. It's a move that's raised eyebrows in the boxing world, given Pacquiao's age and time away from the sport. His last fight was a points loss to Yordenis Ugás.
Sean Gibbons, Pacquiao's promoter, revealed their interest in Benn:
"We would have liked Conor Benn and would have liked Gervonta Davis, but Manny Pacquiao had one thing in mind ... He started with the WBC world title, which was his first belt. This will be an amazing full-circle moment to win another WBC belt, and it won't be his last. When he beats Mario Barrios, line them up."
Benn's current WBC ranking at number three makes him an attractive option for Pacquiao. There were even whispers of a potential bout between the two a few years back.
Eddie Hearn, Benn's promoter, hasn't been shy about criticizing the Pacquiao vs Barrios match-up. But that hasn't stopped the talk of a future Pacquiao-Benn showdown.
Pacquiao's fight with Barrios marks his return from retirement. With 72 professional fights under his belt, the Filipino icon is looking to add more world titles to his already impressive collection. If he gets past Barrios, a clash with Benn could be on the horizon.
