Pacquiao-Romero bout in jeopardy after WBA’s major announcement

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

Manny Pacquiao’s planned return to the boxing ring this January 2026 might be in danger.

In a stunning sequence of events, the proposed bout between Pacquiao and World Boxing Association (WBA) welterweight champion Rolly Romero is now in jeopardy after the boxing organization ordered the latter to defend his belt against Shakhram Giyasov, the current No. 1 challenger in the division.

Romero, who already engaged in fight negotiations with Pacquiao’s camp, was given a 30-day grace period to decide if he wants to fight Giyasov.

If Romero ditches the WBA’s order, the boxing organization will automatically strip him of his welterweight championship belt and might elevate Giyasov as the full champion.

Giyasov, a hard-punching pug from Uzbekistan, is making a name for himself after protecting his undefeated record in 17 total fights.

A combination of speed and power, Giyasov has already knocked out 10 of his opponents and is looking to cement his name if he closes the deal with Romero.

However, Romero and his camp have expressed their full eagerness to fight Pacquiao this January, although no concrete reports of an agreed deal have been put into place.

“A Hall of Famer on my résumé — who wouldn’t want that? That’s the easiest way to get into the Hall of Fame, right?” said Romero in an interview with BoxingScene.

Romero, the current World Boxing Association (WBA) lightweight champion, is coming off a massive victory over heavy favorite Ryan Garcia last May 25, 2025.

Despite having only 19 professional fights, MP Promotions president Sean Gibbons believes Romero would be an exciting fight for Pacquiao, both skill-wise and from a promotional standpoint.

“Rolly Romero would be an unbelievably fun fight. Romero just beat Ryan Garcia. Rolly Romero and Manny Pacquiao would be a hell of a promotion,” added Gibbons.