Clear Frontrunner Emerges for Manny Pacquiao’s Next Fight

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Ryan Hafey

A clear frontrunner has emerged for Manny Pacquiao’s next fight after developments over the past two weeks effectively narrowed what had been a three-name discussion to one realistic option.

World Boxing News understands that as of January 7, Pacquiao’s team was weighing three possible opponents for a spring return, targeting an April or May date. MP Promotions President Sean Gibbons confirmed to WBN that the names in play at the time were Floyd Mayweather, Gervonta Davis, and WBA champion Rolly Romero.

Two weeks later, circumstances around two of those options have shifted sharply, leaving Romero in the strongest position from the start.

How the short list took shape

The January 7 update positioned Pacquiao’s next move as a spring decision with multiple routes available. But the key detail was always timing: an April or May target leaves little room for instability, delays, or outside complications.

That is why the picture has changed so quickly.

Why two options cooled

Mayweather had been linked to a separate exhibition-style event against Mike Tyson, reportedly earmarked for March in Africa. However, that fight now looks doubtful.

Even if it were revived, it would create timing and promotional conflicts that make another Pacquiao bout highly problematic. Beyond logistics, the reality is that revisiting a rivalry that peaked a decade ago has never been an easy sell without the right structure around it.

Davis, meanwhile, has been placed under a legal cloud that has stalled any serious momentum toward a spring bout.

With a warrant pending and uncertainty around his immediate availability, the practical pathway to an April or May fight has cooled to the point where it is now viewed as unlikely.

Why Romero leads the way

By contrast, Romero has entered the conversation without external obstacles. His availability and marketability, combined with the lack of regulatory noise, placed him ahead from the beginning, and those advantages have only grown as the other options have faded.

This does not reflect a formal selection or an agreement. It is simply the clearest outcome of a process-of-elimination scenario, where timing, clarity, and feasibility matter as much as name value—especially for a fighter of Pacquiao’s stature at this stage of his career.

World Boxing News poster of a Pacquiao vs Romero fight on Premier Boxing Champions.

Pacquiao has consistently signaled that any return must have a clear purpose, and Romero is a current welterweight titleholder. At 47, the eight-division world champion has little interest in novelty appearances or mismatched exhibitions.

A controlled comeback, with defined parameters and minimal disruption, remains the guiding principle.

From that standpoint, Romero’s profile aligns more closely with what Pacquiao’s team has been exploring: a recognizable opponent, a manageable timeline, and a fight that can be presented as competitive rather than ceremonial.

No bout has been finalized, and Pacquiao has not committed publicly to returning.

However, based on the January 7 discussions and the way circumstances have evolved since then, Romero now stands as the leading choice should Pacquiao elect to move forward with a spring fight.

About the Author

Phil Jay is the Editor-in-Chief of World Boxing News (WBN), a veteran boxing reporter with 15+ years of experience. He has interviewed world champions, broken international exclusives, and reported ringside since 2010. Read full bio.

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