Conor Benn on Pacquiao Clash: His Excellency “Can Make Fight Happen” in Saudi Arabia

Conor Benn addressed the rumors today that he would fight retired boxing legend Manny Pacquiao next, saying that His Excellency can make the fight happen in Saudi Arabia.

Unbeaten welterweight contender Benn (23-0, 14 KOs) was in Riyadh today for the Anthony Joshua vs. Francis Ngannou weigh-in. Fans can put two and two together, seeing Benn at the weigh-in in Riyadh with Pacquiao there too.

They likely were invited by the Saudis, which can mean only one thing. His Excellency is going to put this gimmick-level fight together and sell it to the public on DAZN PPV like we’re seeing with the former two-time heavyweight champion Joshua facing the ex-UFC champion Ngannou in an oddball clash that shouldn’t happen in the real sense.

You can’t take a handful of random people playing in the park and throw them into the NFL, have them take on a team, and charge fans to watch. It is just so wrong. That sends a strong message to fans. If you’ve got a guy or organization with loads of money, they can make ANY fight, no matter how bizarre, and market it to the public. It’ll be sanctioned and blessed by the commission.

At one point, he met with the 45-year-old Pacquiao, shaking hands and smiling like the Cheshire cat from ear to ear. That smile on Benn’s gob said it all. He wants the fight against the former eight-division world champion Pacquiao (62-8-2, 39 KOs) so badly that he can’t help himself.

“I can’t confirm or deny. If there’s anyone who can make fights happen, it’s His Excellency here in Saudi Arabia. The public wants that fight, so for me, it’s a matter of giving the public that fight,” said Conor Benn to CharIie Parsons’ YouTube channel.

The comment that the 27-year-old Benn makes about “the public wants the fight” is hard to underson, as the boxing public aren’t asking for Pacquiao-Benn clash to happen. No one wants to see that mess.

Pacquiao is nearing 46, has been retired since his loss to Yordenis Ugas in 2021, and he looked washed in that contest. Benn should be fighting IBF welterweight champion Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis, who would give him a title shot in a hot second if he wanted to face him.

The fact that Benn is pushing for a fight against Pacquiao without proving himself in the sport tells you what his career is all about. It’s just to make a little coin and then get out without trying to win a world title.