Eddie Hearn has doubts over making a fight between Manny Pacquiao and Jaron “Boots” Ennis should the legendary Pacquiao return to the sport.
There are strong reports that link Pacquiao to a fight with WBC welterweight titleholder Mario Barrios in July. The rumors surrounding this bout grew further when Pacquiao entered the WBC’s welterweight rankings at number five this week. This has proven controversial, with Pacquiao having been inactive since losing his WBA title to Yordenis Ugas back in 2021, and not registering a win since beating Keith Thurman in 2019. All the same, he is now ranked high enough for a title shot – only a fighter in the top 15 can fight for the full title.
Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing currently promotes Ennis, the unified IBF and WBA welterweight titleholder, and is having problems securing a unification with WBO titleholder Brian Norman Jnr. BoxingScene asked Hearn if he would try to make a unification between Pacquiao and Ennis should the 46-year-old Pacquiao defy Father Time and defeat Barrios.
“I mean one, he won’t beat Barrios,” Hearn said. “And two, I’m not gonna stand here with my righteous hat on and say it’s an absolute disgrace that Pacquiao's fighting, but I just can’t believe you can just literally disappear from boxing for five years, be 46 years old, and be – I think ‘shot’ is disrespectful, but by no means a fighter you were – and just phone up the governing body and go, ‘Stick me in at number five mate.’ It's like, at least put him in at 14, do you know what I mean? Why would you put him at five? Why would you put him in at all?”
Hearn is not only doubtful over the ring-worn Pacquiao’s chances against a younger, fresher man, but has also learned from previously trying to make a fight involving “Pacman.”
“Three years ago, I think it was, Manny Pacquiao approached us about fighting Conor Benn, right?” Hearn said. “[Benn’s] best win was probably Chris Algieri at the time, so it wasn't for a world title. We haven't really beaten an elite world-class fighter, and I mentioned that we were looking to do it. I think two years ago I think they had a face-off – I got absolutely ridiculed. ‘You're a disgrace for letting Pacquiao fight.’ He was 44 years old, but he's now 46 and he's fighting for a world title. It’s the game.”