Manny Pacquiao exhibition rival left in limbo and awaiting final answer on fight

Ruslan Provodnikov has been left up in the air but still wants to face Manny Pacquiao.

Provodnikov was announced to be the next opponent of Filipino legend Pacquiao, with the pair set to square off in an exhibition in Las Vegas on April 18.

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Time passed and no promotion was given of the event, with Pacquiao instead announced to be facing Floyd Mayweather in a professional rematch in September.

The date for the event passed and it was radio silence with external reports only indicating that it would likely be moved.

Provodnikov has now responded to the claims, insisting he still believes it can take place at a later date.

He told World Boxing News: “It’s disappointing that the fight won’t take place in April, but I’m hopeful it will happen in June. I really hope so, and I believe it.

“We’ve prepared everything. As soon as they give the go-ahead, I’ll pack my bag and be ready to fly to America with my team.

“My professional career is already behind me. I’ve moved on to other things, other work, and today my focus is on my family.

“Boxing is in the past. Exhibition fights, maybe — just to go out and entertain people — but to seriously come back and restart my career, no. Everything has its time.”

Provodnikov will hope for the potentially lucrative bout to take place.

A bout in June for Pacquiao could make sense, given his planned September opponent Mayweather is set to face kickboxing icon Mike Zambidis in Greece that month.

Pacquiao’s 2026 – a big year or a whirlwind of chaos?

For Pacquiao it has been a turbulent year, having tried to make a boxing return with several opponents.

It was originally anticipated he would get a new world title shot, after controversially drawing with Mario Barrios in their WBC welterweight match-up last year.

But negotiations with alternative champion Rolly Romero stalled and his focuses turned elsewhere.

His main focus is instead expected to be a meeting with Mayweather at The Sphere later this year.

The American was expected to be risking his perfect 50-0 professional record in a full comeback.

But since then, despite an announcement being made, a late feud has broken out over the details of the contract.

Mayweather claims he hadn’t agreed for anything more than an exhibition, but a contract deadline has passed and formal confirmation has yet to be made.

Boxing schedule

For all the upcoming fights and results this year, check out talkSPORT.com’s  boxing schedule.

The American may well have to pay damages if he breaches the contract and decides not to stake his resume.

But the parties are hopeful that a settlement will be reached and it will go ahead as planned.