Romero sends exemption request to WBA for Pacquiao fight

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

It seems like Rolly Romero’s only wish is to fight the living legend Manny Pacquiao.

Despite a major blow when the World Boxing Association (WBA) ordered Romero to defend his championship belt against Shakhram Giyasov, the champion just made a stunning move after sending an exemption request to the boxing body on Dec. 4, 2025.

The development was confirmed by Giyasov’s promoter, Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Boxing, stating that Romero would like to bypass the WBA’s order to give way to the planned Pacquiao fight.

Hearn revealed that Romero’s camp submitted a letter of exemption that would skip his title defense against Giyasov to prioritize the blockbuster match against the sport’s only eight-division world champion.

“We’ve been mandated to fight Rolly Romero,” Hearn said.

“But Romero’s team put in an exemption request to face Manny Pacquiao, which I don’t believe is even done. Shakhram Giyasov has been waiting and waiting, and we believe the WBA should not allow that special exemption to take place.”

If Romero ditches the WBA’s mandate if ever his request is denied, the boxing organization will automatically strip him of his welterweight championship belt and might elevate Giyasov to the full champion.

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 in 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 Romero 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.