Manny Pacquiao nears astonishing boxing comeback aged 45 as he closes in on showdown with British star

Boxing legend Manny Pacquiao has revealed he is on the verge of making a comeback at the age of 45 to take on English welterweight prospect Conor Benn.

The Filipino star, who won world honours in five different weight classes between 1995 and 2021, retired from the sport after losing out to Cuban boxer Yordenis Ugas for the WBA Super lightweight title in August 2021. But the "PacMan", who had previously been linked to a crossover fight with MMA hero Conor McGregor, has confirmed he is now in talks to return to the ring to face Benn (23-0, 14 KOs), whose father Nigel is a British boxing great and former two-division world champion.

Benn 27, was unable to fight for over a year whilst he was under investigation for doping allegations, but since being cleared by the NADP (National Anti-Doping Panel) in July 2023, has returned to the ring and scored two victories. The London-born fighter was scheduled to face Chris Eubank Jr in a huge domestic dust-up late last year until a deal fell apart at the last minute.

But speaking to the media at the weigh-in for tomorrow night's heavyweight showdown between Anthony Joshua and ex-UFC star Francis Ngannou in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia tomorrow night, both fighters have confirmed that they are close to signing on to share the ring later this year.

Pacquiao said: "Yes, I believe that we can have a good fight and entertain the fans. It's been a while since I fought a young guy fighter like him, so I am excited for that. I hope that we can get it done before we go back home."

Welterweight contender Benn admitted that a bout with icon Pacquiao wasn't initially on his mind but insists that he is willing to face anyone in order to further his goals of becoming a world champion.

"It wasn't on my