Manny Pacquiao’s comeback to boxing has been delayed twice. The eight-division world champion was originally set to headline a card on December 6. After losing his previous fight to Lamont Roach Jr. — who recently fought to a majority draw with Isaac Cruz and almost defeated Gervonta Davis — Pacquiao announced a new fight date. January 24 was proposed, but his manager has since confirmed that Manny will not fight on the same day as UFC 324.
Looking ahead, Pacquiao is planning to challenge Laurie Romero for the WBA welterweight title. At 47 years old, Pacquiao aims to reclaim the 147-pound championship and set a new age record—surpassing his own previous feat when he dethroned Keith Thurman at age 40. Talks for a March bout are underway, with Romero requesting an exception from the WBA.
In the event that the world title fight doesn’t materialize, Pacquiao intends to have a rematch with Floyd Mayweather. Their 2015 fight remains the highest-grossing PPV ever, drawing 4.4 million buys and generating $410 million. A potential Netflix rematch is “in serious discussion,” even as Mayweather prepares for a 2026 match against Mike Tyson. The Pacquiao vs. Romero fight is expected to happen in March, with renewed discussions about the legendary rivalry to follow.
Fan Take: For fight fans, Manny Pacquiao’s return holds immense significance as it could produce historic moments and rekindle one of boxing’s greatest rivalries. His pursuit of records and potential rematches not only keeps the sport engaging but also bridges the gap between eras of boxing greatness.
