Last July, Manny Pacquiao made a sensational return to professional boxing and now a former world champion is eyeing up a similar comeback, with eyes on a potential showdown with the Filipino icon.
Pacquiao had not won a professional bout since 2019 when he returned to the sport and landed a world title shot against WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios in July, much to the annoyance of other contenders in the 147lb division.
However, despite a spirited effort and surprisingly competitive contest, the winless drought of the now 47-year-old continued as Pacquiao could only muster a draw against Barrios.
Pacquiao has opted to continue fighting, as he looks again to break his own record as the oldest ever welterweight world champion before hanging up the gloves for good.
He has been linked to a number of proposals, most notably another world title challenge against WBA holder Rolando Romero and a possible rematch with long-term rival Floyd Mayweather, who famously defeated him back in 2015.
There is a now another former champion hoping to land a scrap with Pacquiao — two-division conqueror Zab Judah revealed his interest in a showdown with boxing’s only eight-division champion, in an interview with MillCity Boxing.
“Let’s get it. I turn down nobody, I turn down nothing but collars, that’s on my mama. Me and Manny never fought. We here, I would love to.
“You got me hyped with that Manny Pacquiao-Zab Judah s–t. That sounds like something. It’s a good idea. We ain’t lacking over here, baby. Where Manny at? You put a n—a name on the contract with mine and watch what happens. You already know how I get down.”
It seems as though Pacquiao will be made to earn his next world title challenge, with Romero expected to instead face mandatory challenger Shakhram Giyasov and Barrios poised to take on Ryan Garcia.
The normal business of boxing resuming may mean the Filipino legend could look to stage more of a spectacle fight, but Judah — who retired in 2019 after brain bleed following a stoppage loss — is unlikely to be heard.
