Pacquiao Targets Oldest Welterweight Title vs Romero in December

Manny Pacquiao is nearing a return to the ring in December to challenge WBA welterweight champion Rolly Romero in Las Vegas as part of a campaign to win another world title and extend a record he set when he became the oldest welterweight champion in 2019. Negotiations are said to be in their final stages, and Pacquiao confirmed the talks during a press conference in Quezon City, saying, "We are negotiating and finalizing," while his promoter, Sean Gibbons, framed the pursuit as a legacy-driven objective.

Pacquiao, who came out of a four-year retirement this summer, fought Mario Barrios to a split draw in July and has since focused on securing a meaningful championship opportunity rather than routine paydays. Gibbons said Pacquiao wants to break his own mark by becoming the oldest welterweight titleholder, targeting Romero because he holds the WBA belt and presents a high-stakes challenge. Romero has publicly expressed interest in facing Pacquiao, noting in an interview that few fighters would turn down an opportunity to fight the Filipino legend.

Romero, a former WBA super-lightweight champion, moved up to welterweight and claimed the WBA regular title after defeating Ryan...