Manny Pacquiao tried to interrupt his personal report because the oldest welterweight world champion in historical past final yr, however needed to accept a draw towards Mario Barrios. He might now get a second likelihood.
Pacquiao returned to skilled motion in July 2025 to problem then-WBC champion Barrios. Had he received, he would have prolonged the report he first set by defeating Keith Thurman in 2019 on the age of 40.
The bulk draw was sufficient to maintain ‘PacMan’s comeback alive, and he subsequently booked a rematch with Floyd Mayweather. That bout has since been postponed because of the American’s ongoing authorized points, leaving Pacquiao open to a different battle earlier than it’s finally rescheduled.
Ought to he determine to problem for a world title at 147lbs once more, Australia’s Liam Paro – who claimed the IBF belt final month with victory over Lewis Crocker – seems prepared and prepared.
Talking to The Australian earlier than Paro’s win over Crocker, the Australian’s promoter George Rose of No Restrict Boxing made it clear that Pacquiao was his dream opponent.
“Manny is the one battle we need to make for Liam. Think about Manny coming again to Australia.
“Ryan Garcia, Devin Haney and Rolly Romero all maintain world titles at welterweight, however we don’t must do a unification battle.
“When Jeff Horn fought Manny, he didn’t have the belt. It might be unreal. Think about doing a card with Manny, Paro and probably the 2 Tszyus. It might be sensational.”
Paro was Jeff Horn’s chief sparring accomplice forward of the Australian’s upset victory over Pacquiao in 2017, one of the crucial controversial choices of the Filipino legend’s profession.
Preventing in entrance of greater than 50,000 followers at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium, Pacquiao misplaced his WBO welterweight title through unanimous resolution regardless of many observers believing he had achieved sufficient to retain it, significantly after practically stopping Horn within the ninth spherical. Pacquiao later accused Horn of repeatedly utilizing headbutts and elbows all through the competition.
A return to Australia with the possibility to make historical past as soon as once more might subsequently show a gorgeous possibility for Pacquiao, though obligatory challenger Paddy Donovan might have one thing to say about whether or not Paro is free to pursue such a blockbuster.
