World Boxing News has been informed about the collapse of Manny Pacquiao’s WBC welterweight title shot, as details are scarce.
As WBN reported first, the Filipino boxing legend was in talks for a sensational return to the sport after three years away. Not only was Pacquiao to be back in action, but the ‘Pac-Man’ was set to challenge current 147-pound green and gold belt holder Mario Barrios.
Had the fight been completed, Pacquiao would have had the opportunity to break his oldest welterweight titleholder record [won against Keith Thurman in 2019] by five years and change. Sadly, the dream comeback wasn’t to be for the eight-weight world ruler.
WBN has inside knowledge of the ongoing process, and until a recent announcement on the future of Barrios, was unaware separate talks had taken place. Then, on Wednesday, the bombshell dropped that Barrios would defend his title on the November 15 Mike Tyson vs Jake Paul undercard at AT&T Stadium on Netflix.
Barrios will battle Abel Ramos, leaving Pacquiao out of the loop and unlikely ever getting another shot at the WBC crown.
Time is ticking away for the 45-year-old, who turns another year older in December. Therefore, any chance he has of challenging for any strap will have to come now. That leaves Pacquiao with two options in Jaron Ennis [IBF] and Eimantas Stanionis [WBA]. WBO welterweight champion Brian Norman Jr. already has his next outing set.
Stanionis would be the instant favorite due to his ties with Premier Boxing Champions and his telling World Boxing News exclusively earlier this year that he would love to share a ring with Pacquiao.
“Facing Manny Pacquiao is a nice fantasy fight for me. The opportunity would be a dream come true. Our styles would make for a guaranteed war. It would be a great opportunity for a legend to fight for the title again,” said the US-based Lithuanian.
Without Stanionis, it’s hard to see where Pacquiao could turn other than to the exhibition circuit. Asked why the Pacquiao fight failed to get over the line, WBN asked Barrios trainer Bob Santos for his view. However, he was at a loss to explain why the long-standing negotiations weren’t enough.
He told WBN, “You know, I’m actually not sure why the Pacquiao vs Barrios didn’t go through. I know both sides were working on it. For whatever reason, the fight couldn’t be done.”
Santos added that he was unsure whether Pacquiao could be an option in the future.
“We have to move ahead forward with this [Ramos] fight here. We have to take care of business with Abel Ramos, and that has to be the focus moving forward.”
Read all articles and exclusive interviews by Phil Jay. Learn more about the author, experienced boxing writer, and World Boxing News Editor since 2010. Follow on Twitter @PhilJWBN.
