So long as his career is in limbo, Conor Benn can forget a fight with Manny Pacquiao.

Sean Gibbons, a longtime fight agent and advisor to the multi-division champion from the Philippines, suggested in a recent interview that serious discussion for a Pacquiao-Benn fight would only take place if clarity is brought to Benn’s two failed drug tests.

Pacquiao-Benn became the topic du jour not long ago after Eddie Hearn, Benn’s promoter, floated the legendary fighter as an opponent for his embattled charge.

Benn tested positive for the same banned performance-enhancing drug twice, in two separate tests that were administered by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association. The revelation of the latter test led to the highly publicized cancellation of his 157-pound catchweight bout with Chris Eubank Jr. Clomifene, the substance in question, is a fertility drug that, when used by men, is known to promote the growth of testosterone.

Benn is being investigated by two outfits, the World Boxing Council and the British Boxing Board of Control in conjunction with United Kingdom Anti-Doping. Most onlookers and industry observers believe the latter investigation is far more consequential and legitimate, as the WBC’s investigation only pertains to whether or not Benn will be reinstated into its welterweight rankings. The BBBofC-UKAD investigation, on the other hand, can potentially lead to a ban.

Gibbons acknowledged that there was tacit interest on Pacquiao’s side to explore a fight with Benn, but with all the uncertainty hanging over the Briton’s head, Gibbons said they would for the time being refrain from pursuing constructive talks.  

“Manny is looking to return to the ring for exhibitions and real fights, but the consensus between all parties is that until Conor Benn gets a green light from the WBC or whatever party is overseeing this investigation on the suspension, until he is completely cleared nobody really wants to talk about it,” Gibbons told iD Boxing. “But, yeah, there’s a potential for sure if Conor Benn is clear. If not we would’ve loved to have fought [retired welterweight champion] Kell Brook, who I see is talking about wanting to do one more [fight]. In general, Manny is happy. He wants to do some exhibitions, he still feels he’s got stuff for the fans.”

Pacquiao, a former-eight division titlist, came out of retirement last December when he toyed with South Korean mixed martial artist DK Yoo. Pacquiao initially retired in 2021 after losing to Yordenis Ugas. He then embarked on a presidential campaign in his homeland but was ultimately unsuccessful.

“He’s coming here in England to do a three-city tour, autographs and stuff, so whatever it may be, I see him doing a little boxing like he did in Korea in December,” Gibbons continued. “On the Conor Benn subject there has to be some kind of closure on this whole issue with the positive tests he had and once that’s done then absolutely a lot of discussions can happen.”