Abu Dhabi potential host for Manny Pacquiao comeback bout, Conor Benn a possible opponent

16.03.2023 - 14:35 thenationalnews.com

Manny Pacquiao’s return to professional boxing could take place in Abu Dhabi this summer as part of the next major boxing event to be staged in the capital.

The eight-division champion, who retired in August 2021, is understood to be in talks to take on British welterweight Conor Benn, with Abu Dhabi on June 3 an option.

The National understands promoters Matchroom Boxing are working towards a June event in the emirate following their hugely successful debut at Etihad Arena in November.

That card, headlined by Dmitry Bivol’s WBA light-heavyweight title defence against Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez, marked the first event in a long-term agreement signed last year between Matchroom and the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi.

Boxing Sporting comeback Conor Benn Manny Pacquiao Britain Abu Dhabi Philippines

ABU DHABI: The Jiu-Jitsu President’s Cup is to begin on Friday at the Mubadala Arena in Zayed Sports City, with competition for boys and girls in the U-14 and U-16 divisions on the opening day.

Amir Khan banned for two years from all sport after testing positive for prohibited substance

Amir Khan has been banned for two years from all sport after being found guilty of having ostarine in his system on the night he lost to Kell Brook last year. Ostarine is a banned performance-enhancing drug and Khan, who retired from boxing in May 2022, received a positive test for the drug following a urine sample. Ad After the positive result, Khan's case was referred to an independent tribunal, which ruled out “deliberate or reckless conduct”.

Eddie Hearn, Conor Benn and the poison at the heart of British boxing

E ddie Hearn and Conor Benn have been tested over the last eight months in ways the promoter describes as “unbelievable” and his boxer compares to a “witch hunt”. Yet they will soon intensify the controversy should Hearn announce Benn’s return to the ring in the Middle East. Benn’s comeback will happen despite the fact that he recorded two positive test results for clomifene, a banned substance which can boost testosterone by 50%, when he was preparing to face Chris Eubank Jr in a bout scheduled for last October.

Eubank Jr likely to be denied permission for revival of Benn fight

The proposed revival of Conor Benn’s bout against Chris Eubank Jr is in danger of being derailed because the British Boxing Board of Control is likely to deny the latter permission to take part in the fight even if it is located abroad. All British boxing licence-holders need to apply to the board for permission to compete in a foreign territory under a different commission. If they refuse to do so then they run the risk of their British licence being suspended.