Pacquiao in Talks With Rolando Romero for Next Fight

Manny Pacquiao appears to be lining up Rolando Rolly Romero as his next opponent after the Filipino icon’s surprise return to the ring last month, Pacquiao’s adviser Sean Gibbons said, though the matchup is not yet final and faces hurdles that could delay or derail talks. Pacquiao, 46, fought to a majority decision draw with WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios on July 19 in Las Vegas and has said he intends to continue his career, with his team weighing meaningful options for a late 2025 or early 2026 return.

Gibbons identified Romero, 29, as one of the frontrunners because both fighters are promoted by Premier Boxing Champions and because Romero’s style and profile, he said, would make for an attractive, high-stakes fight. All of the stories are out there and Rolly Romero is one of the frontrunners because Manny wants meaningful fights, Gibbons told a betting website. He added that negotiations with other names have proven more complicated. A fight with Ryan Garcia has been discussed but hes a complicated guy to deal with, Gibbons said, while Barrios, he suggested, does not have the commercial pull Pacquiao’s camp wants for a legacy-making bout.