The Manny Pacquiao vs. Floyd Mayweather rematch may not be happening after all.
It was revealed in the past week that the legendary duo were in talks for a second meeting, over a decade on from when they first clashed back in May 2015.
It was Mayweather who was victorious by unanimous decision on that occasion, but Pacquiao has long chased a rematch with his rival, after claiming he was suffering from an injury in the bout.
Any hope of seeing the pair do battle again seemed to disappear when Mayweather retired in 2017, but after ‘Pacman’ made a sensational return to the sport in July, rumours began to swirl about them colliding again.
Pacquiao himself confirmed recently that negotiations with Mayweather had taken place, but it has now been reported that another man is most likely to be facing the Filipino icon next.
According to Chris Mannix, Pacquiao is on the brink of agreeing a deal to challenge for a world title next, against an opponent that he had been lined up to face before the Mayweather talk began.
“Manny Pacquiao, I’m told, who recently returned to the Philippines, is focused on closing a 147-pound title showdown with Rolly Romero.”
Rolando Romero is the current WBA welterweight champion, having been elevated from the Regular belt he won with a unanimous decision victory over Ryan Garcia at Times Square in New York in May.
The WBA had recently ordered Romero to face mandatory challenger Shakhram Giyasov next, but if the bout against Pacquiao does indeed come to fruition, it may mean a deal could have been reached for Giyasov to step aside.
