Pacquiao targets cross-generational mega bout with Stevenson

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

Manny Pacquiao’s quest to shake up the sweet science just went up a notch.

According to multiple reports published Sept. 5, 2026, boxing’s only eight-division world champion is eyeing a blockbuster fight with World Boxing Organization and The Ring junior welterweight champion Shakur Stevenson.

After rematch negotiations with Floyd Mayweather Jr. stalled, Pacquiao’s camp began looking for a massive fight before the end of 2026.

Rumor has it that the fight could be scheduled for November, but both camps are still finalizing the weight class and whether the contract would require a rehydration clause.

Unlike Mario Barrios, whom Pacquiao fought during his professional comeback last year, Stevenson presents a stiffer challenge and is ranked the No. 3 pound-for-pound boxer in the world.

Considered a mirror image of Mayweather, Stevenson blends calculated aggression with high-level defense, including the use of the shoulder roll.

Stevenson is coming off a dominant outing in February, when he dethroned Teofimo Lopez to win the WBO and The Ring junior welterweight belts.

Stevenson was too quick, technical and elusive for the former champion, as the undefeated New Jersey boxer delivered a masterclass before a sold-out crowd at Madison Square Garden.

All three ringside judges scored the bout 119-109 in favor of Stevenson, awarding 11 rounds to the new champion and only one, the eighth, to Lopez.

According to the official fight statistics, Stevenson outlanded Lopez by a wide margin — 130-90 overall — including advantages in power punches, 84-69, and jabs, 47-22.

Pacquiao was also linked last July to newly crowned International Boxing Federation welterweight champion Liam Paro.

George Rose, Paro’s promoter, announced that he wanted Pacquiao as Paro’s next opponent, with the planned fight likely to take place in Australia.

However, the negotiations did not progress, leaving Paro’s camp without a deal as Pacquiao pursued a bigger fight.

Although Pacquiao is exploring his options against the sport’s younger champions, his camp reiterated that its ultimate goal is still to arrange a rematch with Mayweather.

Despite the shaky negotiations, Pacquiao’s camp remains optimistic that it can make the fight happen, with the rematch tentatively targeted for early 2027.