Manny Pacquiao has left fans confused with the announcement of his next fight, with the Filipino legend set for a shock exhibition bout against Ruslan Provodnikov, despite making his professional comeback last July.
Here, Boxing News shares all the info on Pacquiao and Providnikov’s meeting.
Pacquiao’s comeback
Boxing’s only eight-division world champion, fan-favourite Pacquiao returned to the sport back in July, controversially returning in a challenge for the WBC welterweight world title despite being winless since 2019 and inactive since 2021.
Victory would have seen ‘Pac Man’ break his own record and become the oldest welterweight champion in boxing history and thus allow him to retire from boxing off the back of a win, at the age of 47 years old.
Yet, after a spirited attempt, Pacquiao was unable to pull off the upset and instead could only muster a draw on the scorecards against Mario Barrios, but still the southpaw superstar was linked to another world title challenge for 2026 – this time against WBA titleholder Rolando Romero.
However, after much negotiation, Pacquiao’s second consecutive title bid hit a stumbling block.
That stumbling block goes by the name of Shakhram Giyasov, an undefeated Uzbek that currently sits as the WBA’s mandatory challenger and is unwilling to step aside due to his dream of winning a world title for his late daughter.
As a result, it seems as though Romero will be made to defend his belt against Giyasov in the coming months, forcing Pacquiao to move on to an alternate dance partner.
Ruslan Provodnikov
After reportedly being turned down by both Tim Bradley and Juan Manuel Marquez, Pacquiao has opted to take on former WBO super-lightweight world champion, Ruslan Provodnikov, in an exhibition bout in Las Vegas.
Although, despite winning the WBO 140lb crown in October 2013, it is the Russian’s iconic fight with Bradley, which came seven months prior in a challenge for the WBO welterweight throne, that the fan-friendly styled Providnikov is best remembered for.
‘The Russian Rocky’ failed to make a defence of his super-lightweight strap, losing a split-decision and therefore his title to Chris Algieri in June 2014, before defeats to Lucas Martin Matthysse and John Molina Jr. made it three losses in five and proved he was no longer at the elite level.
Following defeat to Molina in June 2016, Provodnikov called time on his career, with a record of 25-5. at the age of just 32.
Since hanging up the gloves, Provodnikov has become a congressman in his hometown of Beryozovo, Russia. Although, Provodnikov has fought as recently as last May, in an exhibition rematch against Jose Luis Castillo in Krasnoyarsk.
Fight Info
Pacquiao-Provodinkov will take place at the near 20,000-capacity Thomas & Mack Center in Sin City on Saturday, April 18,
As for the bout itself, the contest will be a 10-round welterweight affair, but the result will not go on either man’s professional record.
