Conor Benn says he was offered a fight against Manny Pacquiao for December, but the timing was not right for him after recently making 147 pounds. Benn said he turned down the date because it came too soon after the weight cut, and he now views his future as being at middleweight.
The update adds another layer to the Manny Pacquiao next fight news picture. Pacquiao remains a marquee target, but Benn's comments show just how difficult a matchup would be if it were to move forward. The weight issue is the obvious obstacle, especially with Benn saying he has bulked back up to around 185 pounds and considers his welterweight days finished.
Why Benn passed on December
Benn explained that the fight was presented to him for December, but he did not want to rush back into camp after the recent cut to 147 pounds. He pointed to the personal side as well, saying he has a newborn son and wanted to spend time with his family during the festive period.
That combination of factors made the decision a straightforward one for him. Benn also said his recent loss to Ryan shaped the way he views the weight cut, suggesting the effort to make welterweight took too much out of him.
“The fight got presented to me for December, and it was just too soon making weight. Got a newborn son,” Benn said.
He added: “So for me it was really about spending time with my family and just enjoying this period, the festive period, with my family. But if Q1 he wants to get on again, I’m interested.”
What comes next
Benn left the door open for a future meeting, but only if the timing changes. He said he would be interested if the fight is revisited in Q1 2027, which gives the conversation a clear next checkpoint.
His comments also make the potential matchup more complicated than a simple name-vs-name booking. Benn said, “My future’s at middleweight,” and he went even further in describing how difficult the welterweight cut had become for him. “There’s nothing in me at light middle even. That’s how bad the weight cut was,” he said. “I don’t know what I was thinking making 147.”
For now, the message is clear: Benn did not accept the December offer, but he has not closed the door entirely. If Pacquiao and Benn revisit the idea in 2027, the focus will again be on the weight-class challenge and whether the timing finally works for both sides.
