Manny Pacquiao looks set to return to the ring before the end of the year.
Pacquiao made a sensational comeback to boxing back in July when at the age of 46 he challenged Mario Barrios for his WBC welterweight title at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
It was the first time since a defeat to Yordenis Ugas in 2021 that the Filipino icon had been action, as he went searching for his first victory since overcoming Keith Thurman in 2019.
Despite receiving a lot of praise for his performance, it wasn’t to be for Pacquiao, as he was held to a majority decision draw against Barrios, after the three judges at ringside scored the contest 115-113 Barrios and 114-114 twice.
Immediately after the bout it appeared that a rematch against Barrios would come next, but as the dust began to settle it soon became clear that Pacquiao would instead look at other options, potentially feeling that another clash with Barrios wouldn’t be that lucrative.
A number of names have been touted as potential options, and according to Boxing Scene’s Lance Pugmire, it appears that WBA welterweight champion Rolando Romero is now the frontrunner for a potential December showdown against the Filipino great.
‘Rolly’ Romero won the WBA Regular strap at 147lbs back in May after dropping Ryan Garcia on his way to a unanimous decision victory, and was elevated to full champion shortly thereafter due to Jaron Ennis vacating the title in order to move to 154lbs.
A fight between Pacquiao and Romero would certainly be an interesting clash, and a former world champion who once beat ‘Pacman’ has offered his prediction for how the bout may go.
