RUMOR Pacquiao opponent still open: Cordina says he agreed everything, Donovan pitches

Manny Pacquiao's Cardiff opponent is still undecided, and two fighters now say they are in the conversation. One has agreed his side of a deal. The other says he has simply made the call.

Cordina is the clear front-runner. Eddie Hearn said Cordina's side had agreed terms but that it was unknown whether the fight was happening. MiddleEasy reported that the purse is settled. Cordina then told talkSPORT Boxing he would take Pacquiao over a title shot: "if Manny Pacquiao is on the plate for me, 100% I am taking that." He is mandatory for Abdullah Mason's WBO lightweight title, so the choice decides whether he fights at 135lbs or 147lbs.

Donovan, the 27-year-old Irish former IBF welterweight title challenger, pitched himself on Total Boxing with Tris Dixon. He said his manager, Keith Sullivan, reached out to Pacquiao's team and that talks have taken place, though he called it a long shot. Pacquiao's camp has not confirmed any talks. Donovan has won twice this year after his two fights with Lewis Crocker, and The Ring's Mike Coppinger has suggested he might make more sense for Pacquiao.

Pacquiao is 47 and has not won since a split decision over Keith Thurman in 2019. Knockout Daily reports his last fight was a majority draw with WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios in July of last year. His plans have fallen through repeatedly: a Provodnikov fight was booked for April before the event was canceled, and Shakur Stevenson talks reportedly ended over money. A Mayweather rematch now looks like a 2027 event, according to Boxing News.

Cordina, 34, last fought in December, beating Gabriel Flores Jr. by unanimous decision for the WBO International lightweight title. His only loss came against Anthony Cacace in 2024.

Watch for the undercard announcement, which is expected soon. It should show whether Cordina is on the bill, and whether Pacquiao's side picks him, Donovan or someone else with the date about seven weeks away.