Pacquiao may face Cordina in potential comeback fight

MANILA, Philippines — Filipino boxing legend Manny Pacquiao may return to the boxing ring on Dec. 11, 2026, one week before he turns 48 years old. Promoter Eddie Hearn has confirmed that talks for a fight between Pacquiao and former world champion Joe Cordina of Great Britain are “well advanced.”  “We’ve agreed terms to face Pacquiao, but we don’t know if it’s happening,” Hearn said at a media event on Thursday. “From our side, we’ve agreed to do it.” The fight could be placed in the undercard of the Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua heavyweight clash. Pacquiao last fought in July 2025 which ended in a draw against Mario Barrios. Cordina, a former IBF super-featherweight champion, was slated to fight American Abdullah Mason for the WBO lightweight title in Cleveland in July, but was denied a US visa. This would be Pacquiao’s first fight against a British opponent since he beat Ricky Hatton in Las Vegas in 2009. Early this year, Pacquiao made headlines for a rematch against Floyd Mayweather but that bout was postponed indefinitely in June.