With Manny Pacquiao rumoured to feature on the Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua undercard, there are a selection of opponents being explored for his potential return at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium.
The 47-year-old has not fought since July 2025, when he ended a near four-year layoff and boxed to a draw against then-WBC champion Mario Barrios.
After that, the Filipino legend was set to face Floyd Mayweather last September, only for their rematch to be removed from the Netflix schedule.
It does seem, however, that Pacquiao has been promised an alternative opportunity by the streaming juggernaut, who is reportedly keen for him to fight on December 11.
Initially, Shakur Stevenson emerged as the rumoured opponent but, more recently, Joe Cordina has become a widely-discussed option for the welterweight contest.
The Welshman was supposed to face WBO lightweight champion Abdullah Mason in July, only for his scheduled court date to deny him a US visa.
Having now appeared in court, Cordina maintained his innocence to the assault charge but will remain on trial until the judge delivers her verdict on October 20.
Meanwhile, promoter Eddie Hearn has told IFL TV that the former two-time world champion, along with Lewis Crocker and Conah Walker, has been floated as a possible opponent for Pacquiao.
“When we were talking about Manny Pacquiao, I was throwing Lewis Crocker [and] Conah Walker into the mix. Even Joe Cordina.”
With former world champion Crocker scheduled to face Owen Cooper on December 19, and Walker colliding with Alexis Rocha on December 5, it would appear that, of the three, Cordina now represents the most likely opponent for Pacquiao.
