Manny Pacquiao is plotting the second fight in his comeback run at the start of next year.
All-time great Pacquiao returned to the ring back in July when he fought to a draw with Marrio Barrios despite being 46-years-old. He had been out of action since August 2021, when he took a resounding points defeat to Yordenis Ugás and promptly decided to retire.
He once again rolled back the years against Barrios though and is now looking to land himself a world title – a second attempt at a new record of the oldest ever welterweight fighter to do so.
The second bout of Pacquiao’s comeback is set for January 24 in Las Vegas. Right now, WBA welterweight champion Rolly Romero is one name being strongly linked, though he has just been ordered to face a mandatory challenger.
It has now been reported by the Ring Magazine’s Mike Coppinger that, while no opponent is confirmed for the main event, the undercard will feature a world title contest including one of Pacquiao’s former foes in Keith Thurman, who will challenge WBC Super Welterweight Champion Sebastian Fundora.
Thurman lost to Pacquiao back in 2019 and has fought just twice since, beating Barrios in 2022 and Brock Jarvis back in March, while Fundora has beaten the likes of Tim Tszyu twice and Chordale Booker since March 2024 to win and retain the middleweight WBO title.
The fight was originally set to take place later this month, but has now been pushed back after Fundora suffered a hand injury. Official announcements on the plans, including Pacquiao’s opponent, are expected in the coming weeks.
