Eddie Hearn told IFL TV Manny Pacquiao is not on the Fury vs Joshua card on Dec. 11, ending talk of Cordina or Donovan as his opponent.
From 5 reports by 4 outletsLatest Hearn: Pacquiao is not on the Fury vs Joshua card 3 updates 4 outlets
What we know
- Eddie Hearn told IFL TV that Pacquiao is not on the Fury vs Joshua card at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff on December 11.
- Pacquiao's last fight was a majority draw with Mario Barrios for the WBC welterweight title in July 2025; he has not won since beating Keith Thurman by split decision in 2019.
Reported, not confirmed
- Cordina said he had agreed everything for a Pacquiao fight and would take it over his mandatory WBO lightweight title shot against Abdullah Mason; Hearn had said Cordina's side agreed terms. Knockout Daily / Boxing News
- Paddy Donovan said his manager Keith Sullivan had been in talks with Pacquiao's team, calling it a long shot. Bloody Elbow
- Boxing News says a Pacquiao return now looks like 2027 and that Wilder vs. Opetaia appears to be the undercard's star bout. Boxing News
Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn has ruled Manny Pacquiao out of the Tyson Fury vs. Anthony Joshua card at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff on December 11. Hearn told IFL TV: "I know that Pacquiao is not on the card."
Pacquiao had been rumored for the show after a Mayweather rematch fell through. Shakur Stevenson was first mentioned as an opponent, then Joe Cordina and Paddy Donovan each said they were in talks. Hearn had earlier said Cordina's side agreed terms but that it was unknown whether the fight was happening.
Boxing News reports that fans will likely wait until 2027 to see Pacquiao again. He last fought in July 2025, a majority draw with Mario Barrios for the WBC welterweight title. According to Boxing News, the star bout on the undercard now looks to be Deontay Wilder against Jai Opetaia.
Pacquiao had been rumored for the show after a Mayweather rematch fell through. Shakur Stevenson was first mentioned as an opponent, then Joe Cordina and Paddy Donovan each said they were in talks. Hearn had earlier said Cordina's side agreed terms but that it was unknown whether the fight was happening.
Boxing News reports that fans will likely wait until 2027 to see Pacquiao again. He last fought in July 2025, a majority draw with Mario Barrios for the WBC welterweight title. According to Boxing News, the star bout on the undercard now looks to be Deontay Wilder against Jai Opetaia.
- Summary
- Eddie Hearn told IFL TV Manny Pacquiao is not on the Fury vs Joshua card on Dec. 11, ending talk of Cordina or Donovan as his opponent.
- Key points (one per line)
- Eddie Hearn told IFL TV: "I know that Pacquiao is not on the card."
Joe Cordina and Paddy Donovan had each said they were in talks for a Pacquiao fight.
Boxing News says a Pacquiao return now looks like 2027; Wilder vs. Opetaia looks like the undercard's star bout.
- Also reported by (Name | URL per line)
- Bloody Elbow | https://bloodyelbow.com/2026/10/23/manny-pacquiao-targeted-by-another-potential-opponent-for-fury-vs-joshua-card-who-reveals-talks/
Combat Sports UK | https://combatsportsuk.com/news/f8985b95-1f8f-463a-a6c0-0e688e8b6e9c/manny-pacquiao-next-fight-paddy-donovan-says-team-in-talks
Knockout Daily | https://knockoutdaily.com/news/paddy-donovan-crashes-the-manny-pacquiao-sweepstakes-even-after-joe-cordina-said-yes
Boxing News | https://boxingnewsonline.net/news/two-time-champ-agreed-to-fight-pacquiao/
Boxing News | https://boxingnewsonline.net/news/final-decision-on-manny-pacquiao-return/
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Fighters in this story
Manny Pacquiao
Joe Cordina
Anthony Joshua
Tyson Fury
Shakur Stevenson
Keith ThurmanHow the story developed
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Hearn: Pacquiao is not on the Fury vs Joshua card Boxing News
Knockout DailySources
Bloody Elbow
Combat Sports UKSummarized with AI from the sources above. Read the originals for the full story.
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