Manny Pacquiao is on the hunt for a world title.
The Filipino boxing legend made a bold comeback to the sport earlier in the year despite now being 46-years-old. Not only is age not on his side in the most unforgiving of all sports, but the former multi-weight world champion has also had a total of 73 fights, 73 camps, and been involved in plenty of wars, including being stopped amongst his eight losses.
Along the way Pacquiao has fought the likes of Floyd Mayweather, Keith Thurman, Tim Bradley twice, Shane Mosley and many more, and is already regarded as one of the greats boxers of all time.
In July 2019, he set the record for being the oldest welterweight world champion in history when he beat Thurman aged 40, and in July of this year, his sensational comeback saw him fight to a majority decision draw with WBC ruler Mario Barrios.
Pacquiao is now set to return to the ring once more, but according to his right-hand man and MP Promotions President Sean Gibbons, when speaking to World Boxing News, not for a rematch with Barrios.
“No Barrios at this time. Manny is looking at Rolly Romero for the WBA title. Manny wants meaningful fights at 46 to make history. But there is nothing right now. Romero is just one of the fights mentioned for Manny.”
In a separate interview with the same outlet, Gibbons explained why there will be no Barrios rematch.
“Mario Barrios is a great guy, but unfortunately, he doesn’t sell. He’s not exciting and doesn’t bring the kind of energy Rolly Romero brings. Rolly brings chaos, unpredictability.”
WBA welterweight champion Romero is also a former WBA super lightweight champion who lost his belt to Isaac Cruz, who has also lost to Gervonta Davis.
Last time out in May though he beat Ryan Garcia by unanimous decision over 12 rounds, so is no easy fight for Pacquiao, but some in the sport are already backing him to get the win.