Manny Pacquiao next fight: Mayweather rematch off, Conor Benn eyes early next year

Conor Benn told Sky Sports he was offered a fight with Manny Pacquiao for December but was not ready, and would take the bout in the first quarter of next year.

By Combat Sports UK Staff · Published Sun 8 Nov, 18:17 UK · AI-assisted reporting

Post by @SkySportsBoxing on X

Conor Benn has said he is interested in fighting Manny Pacquiao early next year, having turned down the chance to face the Filipino in December.

The British welterweight told Sky Sports that he knew the Pacquiao fight had been offered to him for December but that he was not ready to get it done then. If Pacquiao wants the fight in the first quarter of next year, Benn said, it can happen.

Benn explained that December was too soon, citing the demands of making weight and the arrival of his newborn son, and said he wanted to spend time with his family. He described Pacquiao as an all-time legend and an eight-division world champion who will go down in the history books, and said the prospect of another stadium show appealed to him.

A fight with Pacquiao could also keep Benn at 147lbs. He last fought in September, when he was stopped in the second round by WBC welterweight champion Ryan Garcia, and insisted afterwards that it would be his last bout in the division.

Pacquiao has not fought since a majority decision draw with Mario Barrios for the WBC welterweight title in July 2025. He had been expected to have a rematch with Floyd Mayweather this year, but that fight fell through. He was then linked to a place on the Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua card next month, which is no longer set to happen.

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