Manny Pacquiao world-title shot in jeopardy after major development

Pacquiao has been eyeing a title fight against Rolly Romero but may now have to find an alternative opponent

Manny Pacquiao (right) during his title challenge against Mario Barrios (Getty Images)

Manny Pacquiao may miss out on a dream world title shot following a major update by the WBA.

The Filipino icon, 46, announced last week that he will be returning to the ring to fight in Las Vegas on 24 January.

Pacquiao is expected to confirm his opponent imminently, and WBA welterweight champion Rolly Romero was the frontrunner to face him.

However, the WBA has now ordered Romero to defend his belt against mandatory challenger, Shakhram Giyasov.

Romero and Giyasov’s teams have been given a 30-day negotiation period which ends on 13 November.

Subscribe to DAZN now to watch over 185 fights a year

Giyasov won a silver medal at the 2016 Olympics in Rio and is unbeaten in 17 fights as a professional.

Should Romero take the Giyasov fight, this would push back or potentially completely scupper a proposed clash with Pacquiao.

Alternatively, he could still opt to take on Pacquiao but would be at risk of being stripped of his title.

A third option would be for Romero to try and agree a step aside deal with Giyasov, allowing him to box Pacquiao if the winner then faces the undefeated Uzbek star next.

Ryan Garcia (left) and Rolly Romero during their weigh-in face-off earlier this year (Getty)

Pacquiao has also been linked with fights against Gervonta Davis and Conor Benn, but both men already have their next bouts lined up.

Davis will meet YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul in an exhibition fight on November 14 before Benn faces Chris Eubank Jr in their highly anticipated rematch the following night.

ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.

ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.

Pacquiao may now have to wait to see how Romero, Davis and Benn’s respective situations play out before picking his next opponent.

He made a remarkable comeback after a four-year layoff in July to hold WBC welterweight titlist Mario Barrios to a draw.

Pacquiao already has the record for being the oldest world champion ever at 147lb after beating Keith Thurman at the age of 40 in 2019.

He came within a whisker of rewriting the history books against Barrios and now appears to fancy his chances if he can get his hands on Romero, who shocked Ryan Garcia in his last outing in May.

Pacquiao will celebrate his 47th birthday in December and is still going strong but now faces a nervous wait to see whether his next fight will be for a world title or not.

---

DAZN is the home of combat sports, broadcasting over 185 fights a year from the world's best promoters, including Matchroom, Queensberry, Golden Boy, Misfits, PFL, BKFC, GLORY and more. An Annual Saver subscription is a one-off cost of £119.99 / $224.99 (for 12 months access), that's just 64p / $1.21 per fight.

There is also a Monthly Flex Pass option (cancel any time) at £24.99 / $29.99 per month. A subscription includes weekly magazine shows, comprehensive fight library, exclusive interviews, behind-the-scenes documentaries, and podcasts and vodcasts.

For pricing in your country, more information and to sign up, click here.