Pacquiao to fight again in January next year
MANILA, Philippines — Manny Pacquiao is not done fighting.
The Filipino icon has confirmed he will return to the boxing ring on January 24, 2026 in Las Vegas, where he ended a four-year retirement to take on Mario Barrios last July.
In a video credited to Indistry Media, Pacquiao (62-8-3, with 39 knockouts), who is turning 47 this December, announced the exact date of his ring return.
“Hello to all my boxing fans. I’m excited to let you know that I will be returning to the ring January 24th in Las Vegas,” he said in the video, which is already making rounds on social media.
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— Alan Dawson (@AlanDawsonSport) October 7, 2025
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"Hello to all my boxing fans! I'm excited to let you know I will be returning to the ring January 24 in Las Vegas."
????Rolly Romero is the rumored opponentpic.twitter.com/LZEwlzlywt
No opponent has been named yet, although World Boxing Association (WBA) welterweight champion Rolly Romero (17-2, with 13 knockouts) already has the inside track in landing a lucrative date with Pacquiao.
Romero’s come-forward style along with the world title the American boxer possesses have made him the frontrunner to face Pacquiao, who will again try to become the oldest welterweight titlist boxing history.
During a media appearance last week at the countdown event for the “Thrilla in Manila 2” festivities, Pacquiao said talks with Romero’s camp are ongoing.
“[We are] still negotiating, but we’re just finalizing it,” he said.
Pacquiao will attempt to eclipse the record he himself set in 2019, when, at 40 years old, he dethroned Keith Thurman for the same WBA title.
He came close to his new goal against Barrios — the World Boxing Council 147-pound beltholder — last July 19 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. But the fight ended in a majority draw, which enabled Barrios to escape with the crown.
Now, the chase for history continues for Pacquiao, the only boxer to win eight world titles in as many weight classes
“It is going to be an exciting and special event. Stay tuned, more news to come on my opponent in the next few days. Thank you everyone,” he said.
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