Conor Benn is set to return in JUNE for 'massive fight', reveals Hearn
Conor Benn is set to return in JUNE for a ‘massive fight’, reveals promoter Eddie Hearn, with the bout ‘close’ to being finalised after the Matchroom chief teased a sensational showdown with Manny Pacquiao
- Conor Benn is set to return to the boxing ring this June for a ‘massive fight’
- Promoter Eddie Hearn said there would be ‘big fight news’ for Benn soon
- He has previously teased a massive fight against legendary star Manny Pacquiao
Conor Benn is preparing to return this summer for a ‘massive fight’ that is ‘close’ to being signed, according to Eddie Hearn.
Benn has had a chaotic period after his domestic showdown with Chris Eubank Jr was scrapped after failing two drugs tests – with the fighter suspended amid an investigation from UKAD and the WBC.
But he was later cleared of wrongdoing by the WBC – who claimed that high egg consumption could have been behind his positive test for the drug Clomifene – with his promoter Hearn since looking to get him back into action.
Five months on from the debacle in October, the Matchroom chief revealed that he was nearing an agreement for a summer fight.
He has previously teased a sensational fight with Manny Pacquiao, though he didn’t confirm that the legendary boxer would be Benn’s upcoming opponent.
Conor Benn (L) is set to return to boxing this June in a big fight, according to Eddie Hearn, who has previously teased a bout with Manny Pacquiao (R)
Hearn said fans could expect ‘big fight news’ in due course as he plots Benn’s comeback
Benn is still under investigation by UKAD and therefore has not been cleared to fight in the UK, but he is permitted to fight in another country should he receive a licence.
‘Six months on, having talked about this every day, we’re ready to announce Conor Benn’s next fight,’ he told iFL.
‘I can’t wait because I’m done talking about it. Everyone can have their opinion about it and I’ll always answer questions about it but it’s time now for Conor Benn to get back in the ring. Love him, hate, him him, write him off whatever you want to do, I don’t care, I just want to see him fight again.
‘We will be dropping big fight news. He will be fighting in June and there will be further details in due course.’
It comes after Hearn suggested Pacquaio could be Benn’s next opponent last month.
Benn was suspended in October after he twice tested positive for a banned substance
Sportsmail’s Riath Al-Samarrai broke the exclusive of Benn’s positive drugs test in October
‘I would not be surprised to see Conor Benn fight Manny Pacquiao next,’ Hearn said speaking to Boxing King Media.
‘But, it’s not signed, there’s been a couple of discussions, minor discussions.’
Speaking exclusively to Sportsmail in October, Pacquiao revealed his intentions to fight in the UK before he hangs up the gloves for good.
‘I am hoping before my boxing career ends, I will have an exhibition or professional fight in the UK. I hope that a fight will happen,’ he said.
Pacquiao – one of the most esteemed fighters of all time who won a world title in eight different weight divisions – retired in 2021 after losing to Yordenis Ugas, but recently staged an exhibition bout against YouTuber DK Yoo in December.
Pacquiao retired in 2021 but has since returned for an exhibition bout against YouTuber DK Yoo
Benn gave his first TV interview with Piers Morgan this week where he admitted to having suicidal thoughts over the ordeal
Benn spoke out about his failed drugs test – first reported by Sportsmail – in a TV interview for the first time this week as he faced questions from Piers Morgan.
The 26-year-old – who has always stressed his innocence over the failed drugs tests – said he felt like he was on ‘death row’ and admitted to having suicidal thoughts over the allegations.
Benn said: ‘It’s hurt me. I didn’t think I was going to make it through this period.
‘It’s hard because I feel like I was on death row for something I hadn’t even done.’
Morgan asked: ‘When you say you didn’t think you would make it, what did you mean?’
Benn added: ‘I was taking it day by day. I didn’t think I would see another day.’
Asked if he was feeling suicidal, Benn replied: ‘Yeah, I would say so.’
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