Manny Pacquiao has been linked to a string of potential opponents throughout 2026, and now a two-time world champion has publicly expressed his readiness to face the Filipino icon before the year concludes.
Pacquiao returned to the ring last July, suffering a draw while challenging Mario Barrios for the WBC welterweight title. Since then, “Pac Man” has been linked to a lucrative rematch against Floyd Mayweather, though the Netflix-planned event was delayed due to legal complications surrounding “TBE”.
Instead, Netflix is set to broadcast Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua’s highly anticipated clash on Friday, December 11, in Cardiff, and it is believed Pacquiao will appear on that card to satisfy his prior contractual obligations to the streaming service.
Speaking to iFL TV, two-time IBF super-featherweight world champion Joe Cordina confirmed his interest in a bout against boxing’s only eight-division conqueror.
“It is crazy to think that, potentially, I could be in the ring with him. Don’t get me wrong and don’t get this twisted – if that fight was to happen – yes, he was one of my favourite fighters and it would be an honour to share the ring with him, but I am going to try and leave him like [Juan Manuel] Marquez left him.
“I’m not going to be in awe of him in the ring and like, ‘Oh my God, it is Manny Pacquiao’ – no, I am going to look to do a job.
“He is not the fighter that he once was, but he is still experienced and the last thing that they lose is power, so it would still be a f***ing hard fight. I am looking forward to how the next few weeks unfold.”
Cordina, a Cardiff local, is also being touted for a potential WBO lightweight world title shot against Abdullah Mason on the Fury-Joshua undercard. This follows the Welshman’s earlier, cancelled bid for the Mason belt this past summer.
