Top trainer Robert Garcia believes Manny Pacquiao still has a crucial role to play on the undercard of Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua, despite him no longer being linked to a fight with Shakur Stevenson.
The 47-year-old has not fought since July 2025, when he ended nearly four years of inactivity and boxed to a draw with then-WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios.
Following the cancellation of his rematch with Floyd Mayweather, it was then reported that Pacquiao could end up fighting pound-for-pound star Stevenson on December 11.
This no longer appears likely, as per Zuffa Boxing promoter Dana White, but Pacquiao may nonetheless feature on the Fury-Joshua card at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium.
In terms of a potential opponent, Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn had put forward former two-time world champion Joe Cordina, who was supposed to face WBO lightweight belt-holder Abdullah Mason in July.
Due to an ongoing legal situation, however, the 34-year-old was denied a US visa and is set to stand trial on October 13 after pleading not guilty to two charges of assault.
Should he be cleared to fight, though, then the Welshman would make for a perfect opponent in the eyes of Garcia, who has told BoxingScene that he suspects Netflix is eager for Pacquiao to feature on the Fury-Joshua card.
“Netflix is looking for that fanbase – the Manny Pacquiao fanbase. Obviously [he’s a big name] in Asia but, all over the world, people love Manny.
“Cordina’s perfect – somebody not [commercially big enough to] cost them tens of millions of dollars.”
With the event just over two months away, a decision will have to be made soon as to whether or not Pacquiao will indeed feature on the card.
