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

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. ESPN were the first to report the Pacquiao-Benn negotiations.

Now 44, Pacquiao is widely regarded one of the greatest boxers of all-time. The Filipino, (62-8-2, 39 KOs), has not fought competitively since his unanimous decision defeat to Yordenis Ugas 19 months ago, which came following a two-year hiatus. Pacquiao, already a senator in the Philippines, then embarked on an unsuccessful run for president of his homeland.

Speaking to ESPN on Wednesday, MP Promotions president Sean Gibbons said of Pacquiao: "He retired for a minute to run for president of the Philippines, where he took a respectful third place.

“And after that he felt that his retirement was due to running for president, and now that [he was unsuccessful] he wants to fight again and feels like he can do it at the highest level.

"Manny is an all-time great and he feels like he still has a lot of fight left in him and he still wants to compete at the highest level. And this fight [against Benn] was presented to him by [Matchroom Sport