Manny Pacquiao may be 46 years old, but the Filipino icon is pushing forward toward another shot at welterweight glory. After a strong but ultimately inconclusive challenge against Mario Barrios in July which ended in a draw, Pacquiao has been exploring one more attempt at becoming the oldest welterweight world champion in history.
For months, Pacquiao has been linked to a showdown with WBA titlist Rolando Romero. That matchup seemed unlikely after the WBA ordered Romero to face mandatory challenger Shakhram Giyasov in October, leaving Pacquiao on the outside looking in. But new developments have revived the possibility.
According to Pacquiao’s advisor Sean Gibbons, Romero has formally requested an exception from the WBA to move forward with a fight against Pacquiao in March 2026. “There are discussions for March,” Gibbons told FightHype.com. “Rolly asked the WBA for an exception, so there are ongoing conversations for that fight.”
Looking beyond Romero, Pacquiao’s ambitions extend toward unification. Gibbons stated that if Pacquiao wins and if Ryan Garcia defeats Mario Barrios in February, a Pacquiao-Garcia clash would be “a natural fight.”
The event may also feature a second Pacquiao in the ring. Manny’s son, Emmanuel Pacquiao Jr., is expected to appear on the undercard, aiming to rebound from his professional debut last weekend, which ended in a draw against Brendan Lally.
Image Credit: BBC