Manny Pacquiao could be offered another world title opportunity after the planned Floyd Mayweather rematch was postponed.
Pacquiao had been expected to face Mayweather again this September, more than a decade after their first fight. That matchup is now uncertain after Mayweather was reportedly hit with a $4.65 million lawsuit from CSI Sports Events.
With the rematch in doubt, MP Promotions CEO Jas Mathur has said Pacquiao is looking for a new opponent later this year.
One possible name is Liam Paro, who recently became IBF welterweight champion with a unanimous decision victory over Lewis Crocker. The win made Paro a two-weight world champion and opened the door to major fights at 147lbs.
Paro’s promoter, George Rose of No Limit Boxing, said he would welcome Pacquiao back to Australia for a title fight in Queensland.
“They’ve tossed up the likes of Manny Pacquiao, who is still floating around in the welterweight division wanting to fight,” Rose said. “It would be great to bring that down here.”
Pacquiao has never held the IBF welterweight title, which could make a fight with Paro an attractive option. If the 47-year-old were to win, he would break his own record as the oldest welterweight world champion in boxing history.
Image Credit: DAZN