Eddie Hearn has hit back at criticism of a potential fight between Conor Benn and Phillipino legend Manny Pacquiao.
Pacquiao’s name has come up repeatedly when the topic of comeback opponents for Benn has arisen, prompting a less than favourable response from most fans on social media.
However, when pressed on the issue by Boxing Social, Hearn was bullish in his response.
“Manny Pacquiao’s an eight division world champion, he just boxed Ugas a year and a half ago and he’s a tremendous fighter.”
“Conor Benn, apparently, has never boxed anyone and is also overrated. So you can’t win.”
“But if we make Pacquiao vs Benn, make one thing clear – every f***ing person in this country will watch that fight. So get ready!”
Benn is expected to make a return to the ring in the first half of this year, as he awaits a ruling from the WBC on the case surrounding his two failed drugs tests.
‘The Destroyer’s fight against Eubank Jr in October was pulled at the last hour after news broke that he had returned a VADA test positive for the banned substance Clomid.
This was compounded when it emerged weeks later that he had failed another test earlier in the summer for the same substance.
Benn currently does not hold a license with the British Boxing Board of Control, meaning as things stand, his return to action is most likely to take place on one of Matchroom’s international cards.
As well as Pacquiao, the likes of Kell Brook and Adrien Broner have also been mentioned as potential opponents, with the Eubank Jr fight seemingly now off the table as he looks set to rematch Liam Smith.