LOS ANGELES — Matchroom Chairman Eddie Hearn objects to the probable ring returns of veteran boxing icons Manny Pacquiao and Mike Tyson.
Pacquiao, 45, participated in a boxing-rules exhibition in Tokyo on July 28 involving the Japanese kickboxer Rukiya Anpo but looked a shadow of himself.
He has been linked with an official bout against the 29-year-old Mario Barrios, which would be the 73rd of his career and would see him challenge ‘El Azteca’ for his WBC welterweight world championship. There is a 16-year age gap between the boxers.
The 58-year-old Tyson, meanwhile, is scheduled to fight the 27-year-old internet sensation Jake Paul at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on November 15. There is a 31-year age gap between these boxers.
Speaking as recently as early this year, Hearn appeared keen to book a fight between his embattled boxer Conor Benn and an older legend in Pacquiao. There was even a promotional face-off between them in Riyadh in March.
Hearn also promoted Paul as he famously oversaw the YouTube creator’s pro boxing debut in January 2020 when Paul defeated Ali Eson Gib by first-round knockout in Miami, Florida.
Eddie Hearn on Mike Tyson and Manny Pacquiao
But, speaking to World Boxing News in Hollywood this week, one thing is clear — Hearn no longer wants to see Pacquiao fight someone like Benn.
“Not after watching his fight the other night,” Hearn told us, adding that he no longer considers a Pacquiao vs. Benn bout realistic.
“It’s dangerous for him to return to the ring against someone like Conor Benn.”
As for Tyson, he was supposed to fight Paul earlier this summer but withdrew from the contest, which was due to air on Netflix, citing an “ulcer flare-up.”
The fight has been rearranged and is a major part of the fall schedule in the US.
But Hearn told us the Tyson vs Paul bout is “20 times worse” than any return Pacquiao makes in the coming months.
Alan Dawson is World Boxing News Lead Writer, a 2 x Sports Journalist of the Year finalist, and 5 x BWAA awards winner. Follow Alan @AlanDawsonSport.
