As the month of February kicks off, the men’s welterweight calendar is beginning to take shape. Errol Spence Jr. is expected to fight Keith Thurman in a 147-pound or 154-pound content in either May or June. Meanwhile, Vergil Ortiz Jr. is scheduled to fight Eimantas Stanionis in a 12-round welterweight clash. Rounding out the top of the division, Terence Crawford appears to be on the road to fighting Alexis Rocha and the winner of the Stanionis-Ortiz Jr. clash. Standing on the outside looking in, Jaron “Boots” Ennis is still angling for a world title shot. Then, there is an unbeaten welterweight contender by the name of Conor Benn whose future remains murky.
In mid-October, Conor Benn was scheduled to fight Chris Eubank Jr. in a catchweight bout. However, the bout was called off just a few days before fight night after Benn reportedly tested positive for a banned substance. While Benn was formally never suspended by the WBC, he has remained out of action as he continues to deny taking a banned substance. Most recently, the Daily Mail has indicated that Benn will be reinstated into the WBC’s rankings.
With Benn on the way back to the ring, the fighter’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, will begin looking for opponents. This week, Hearn indicated that Manny Pacquiao may return to fight the unbeaten welterweight.
“I would not be surprised to see Benn fight Pacquiao next,” he said.
For the time being, Benn will continue training while Hearn puts on an event in New York featuring Alycia Baumgardner and Amanda Serrano.
Eddie Hearn has revealed that there have been “minor discussions” about Manny Pacquiao vs Conor Benn: “I would not be surprised to see Benn fight Pacquiao next.” Still awaiting outcomes from WBC and BBBofC/UKAD investigations into Benn’s positive drugs tests. [@TheBoxingKing1]
— Michael Benson (@MichaelBensonn) February 3, 2023
