Manny Pacquiao’s conflict with Rolly Romero hangs within the steadiness as a result of a compulsory obligation.
WBA welterweight champion Romero is the rumoured frontrunner to face Pacquiao subsequent.
2
However on Monday, the main sanctioning physique ordered Romero to defend his black and gold strap in opposition to No.1 contender Shakhram Giyasov of Uzbekistan.
Giyasov (17-0) beforehand stepped apart to permit Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis and Eimantas Stanionis to face one another in a WBA and IBF unification bout in April, with the promise that he would get a shot on the belt thereafter.
The WBA have now fulfilled that pledge at the price of Pacquiao.
‘Pac Man’ returned to the ring in July to carry WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios to a draw following a four-year hiatus from the paid ranks.
The Corridor of Famer plans to proceed competing and just lately confirmed that he’ll struggle once more on January 24 in Las Vegas, simply after his forty seventh birthday.
If Romero opts to face Giyasov subsequent, which he’ll doubtless be pressured to do if he hopes to retain his world title, then Pacquiao should both face a unique opponent in early 2026 or postpone his comeback to later within the 12 months.
This comes after Pacquiao instructed Filipino media earlier this month that he was ‘finalising’ a struggle with Romero.
They may, in fact, proceed with the struggle with out the WBA strap being on the road.
Nonetheless, it seems that Pacquiao’s major motivation for dealing with Romero is the belt.
Victory would make the boxing legend the second-oldest boxing world champion of all time, behind the ageless surprise Bernard Hopkins.
2
Who else may Manny Pacquiao face subsequent?
There have been murmurs of a possible rematch with Barrios.
Each males verbally agreed to satisfy once more within the quick aftermath of their draw.
Nonetheless, Pacquiao’s long-time advisor, Sean Gibbons, insisted {that a} struggle with Romero was a much more interesting proposition.
“I don’t see why Barrios once more. There’s Rolly Romero, ‘Tank’ Davis. Why do it once more?” Gibbons instructed BoxingScene shortly after his consumer’s comeback.
“Mario Barrios doesn’t draw something and brings nothing to the desk however that belt.
“Rolly Romero can be an unbelievably enjoyable struggle and one hell of a promotion.”
Romero (17-2) shocked the boxing world in Could by defeating Ryan Garcia at Occasions Sq. in New York Metropolis.
In victory, he was topped the WBA ‘common’ champion, which was subsequently upgraded to the complete world title when Ennis vacated the belt in August.