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Analysis

Manny Pacquiao and Conor Benn ‘in advanced talks’ about fight

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Manny Pacquiao and Conor Benn 'in advanced talks' about fight

Manny Pacquiao could return to energetic boxing at the age of 45, as he is reportedly in “advanced talks” for his fight with Conor Benn in Saudi Arabia.

They were seen together at the Joshua vs. Ngannou weigh-ins today and brawled on camera. ESPN.com’s Mike Coppinger reports that the pair met with Saudi officials about the 147-pound fight.

Pacquiao (62-8-2, 39 KOs) is obviously an all-time great, but he’s also 45 years ancient and, regardless of what his promoter says, he’s not “without a doubt” still a great fighter. He was last seen in a sanctioned fight in August 2021, losing to Yordenis Ugas, and that’s his only fight since 2019, a full five years.

Benn (23-0, 14 KOs), 27, has spent nearly two years out of the ring spotlight himself after a massive drug-testing scandal in delayed 2022 that saw a planned fight with Chris Eubank Jr scrapped and caused significant problems for Benn regaining his boxing license in his native UK.

Benn has had two lower-level fights in the United States last September and just last month, with Matchroom sticking by their man and working tough to secure him a cash-strapped fight.

Pacquiao has been looking for a way to get back into energetic boxing for a while now, putting on exhibitions and keeping his name out there. Benn’s idea is the first that seems close to coming to fruition, and it would be wise to assume it will. It ticks all the boxes in today’s “substantial event boxing” landscape, especially since there’s no point in looking after the future of a sport that increasingly relies on extremely short-term bribes and a source of money that can be pulled out of this world at a whim.

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Analysis

Ben Whittaker is open to the idea of ​​facing Chris Eubank Jr

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Ben Whittaker is open to the idea of ​​facing Chris Eubank Jr

After Chris Eubank Jr expressed potential interest in fighting airy heavyweight Ben Whitaker, Whitaker spoke to Heavenly sports about the idea and says that of course he would be ready for it if it came into force.

“If there’s money there, sign me up. I’m bigger, younger, fresher. I wouldn’t say no,” he said Heavenly sports.

“I’m bigger,” he said. “There’s a reason they organize weight classes and I think he’s coming to the end of his career. I’m starting my career, so it’s probably the right time for me to grab him.

Whitaker has gained some following for his flashy and unconventional style, but has confined professional experience, having only had eight professional fights against low-level opponents. Still, he believes his skills exceed Eubank Jr.’s experience.

Granted, Whitaker knows that if he were ever to fight Eubank Jr., it would have to be at the agreed-upon catchweight, but if it’s a fight that makes financial sense, you can bet that all parties involved will find a way to come to terms.

Whitaker is currently scheduled to face Liam Cameron on October 12, which will be a gradual step up from his previous opponent, while Eubank Jr will appear on the same card when he faces Kamil Szeremeta in Riyad.

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Analysis

Brian Norman’s father says they are open to a Jaron Ennis reunion

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Brian Norman's father says they are open to a Jaron Ennis reunion

Following a recent interview with Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn in which he discusses his attempts to make Jaron Ennis a unification match against Brian Norman, Norman’s father releases a video message making it clear that they are not shying away from the fight. As Norman’s father says, they are actually interested in making this fight happen, and he believes there was a miscommunication.

“This is the latest on the Boots fighting situation on our side. I try to be as see-through as possible with Boots, Bozy and his team. I contacted him after Eddie Hearn did an interview.

“We immediately contacted Matchroom’s lawyers, the ones who sent the offer, and asked what does it mean that we rejected two offers? The Matchroom lawyer replies, “Oh, we didn’t realize you sent a counteroffer, which I find demanding to believe because how can you say we rejected anything, which means you never saw the response to your offer.

“The first offer was absurd, but the second one was close and we can work on it a bit. Anyway, we asked, “What’s your final offer?” Since then there has been no response, nothing.

“It’s been seven days since the first contract was sent, so I know they work on Saturdays, I know they work on Saturdays… With all due respect to Team Ennis, everyone with him, we have nothing but love for them, I hope people don’t believe that all this nonsense was rah-rah towards them, nothing like that… We want smoke in the ring, it has nothing to do with anything personal.

“Bozy didn’t turn down this fight, let me make that clear. Boots didn’t turn down the fight. I don’t think anyone is lying. I believe this is simply misinformation circulating. But at this point, it looks like it’s bullshit – at this point, because we’ve clearly turned around and said, “What’s your final offer?” and 24 hours passed, no one said a word.”

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Analysis

Eddie Hearn discusses the signing of Shakur Stevenson and his future plans

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Eddie Hearn discusses the signing of Shakur Stevenson and his future plans

Following the recent official news of Shakur Stevenson signing with Matchroom, his promoter Eddie Hearn discusses his plans for Stevenson while touching on his ideas regarding Jaron Ennis and others. You can check out some excerpts from Hearn below, and the full video interview is at the top.

After signing Shakur Stevenson

“I really feel like I’ve been promoting Shakur Stevenson for years because I’ve been talking about him for years… I know my boxing and I know how good this kid is. He may be unbeatable, I know he’s a star who fights non-stop, there’s something about Shakur Stevenson’s mentality that makes me confident he’ll beat everyone.

“I think he has been hugely underrated. I think he should be not only an American superstar, but also a world star. I think he’s edgy, I think he’s got balls, I think he’s incredibly talented and I’ll do everything in my power to give him the platform and promotional push his skills deserve.

“For Shakur, the plan is for Joe Cordina to have two fights, and if he wins, a fight with Zepeda. And during this period we will show him our value. We will work closely together, Gervonta Davis, everyone. I hope these two fights will decide Shakur Stevenson’s career at Matchroom.”

About Stevenson’s fight with Cordina, which was not well received by fans

“I think it’s a really, really good fight… Stylistically, it’s a great fight for Joe Cordina and it’s actually a great fight for boxing. Two truly talented fighters. I think it will be a great fight and Shakur is a huge favorite for this fight, but Joe coming off the loss to Cacace and having the extra weight at lightweight, this is the right fight.

“It’s not witty, the last guy Shakur Stevenson boxed, Joe beat him easily, and probably the guys before that. So Joe is a earnest fighter…

“For me, we go with Joe Cordina, William Zepeda and Gervonta Davis. For me, once we do our job in these six months, Gervonta Davis vs. Shakur Stevenson will be the biggest fight in boxing. But we make our own moves. We’re not chasing Tank, we’re chasing greatness, but that comes with Tank because he’s an unbelievable fighter.”

About his plans for Jaron “Boots” Ennis

“That’s why we made offers to Brian Norman, the WBO champion; Barrios, WBC champion; and Stanionis, the WBA champion. They were all rejected. The one I think has legs – and I’ve seen him and his father in the last 24 hours – is Brian Norman, the WBO champion. We have already made two offers to Top Rank for Brian Norman, both of which were rejected pleasantly – I mean, we get on very well with Top Rank.

“Yesterday he posted a post in which he wrote: ‘we made a counter-offer.’ We did not receive any counter-offer. So Brian, if you want to make a counteroffer, hurry up and do it. But I want to fight this fight and if Brian Norman has the balls and if Brian Norman is real, Brian, if you’re real, let’s go. Let’s speed it up, let’s do this fight, because these are the fights we should be fighting.

“Brian Norman says Boots isn’t the boogeyman, he’s overrated. If you believe that, let’s end this fight. It’s a great fight between two brilliant American fighters.”

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