Negotiations for a proposed fight between Manny Pacquiao and Rolando Romero broke down due to Romero’s inability to bypass his mandatory title obligation, according to sources familiar with the situation.
Romero is required to defend his WBA welterweight title against mandatory challenger Shakhram Giyasov. Romero’s team sought an exemption from the WBA that would have allowed the Pacquiao bout to take place first, but that request was denied, effectively halting talks.
The WBA’s decision followed previous instances in which Giyasov’s mandatory position had been delayed or worked around to accommodate higher-profile fights. This time, the sanctioning body declined to grant another exception, reinforcing Giyasov’s status as the next required opponent.
Giyasov has remained publicly committed to pursuing the title fight, and his mandatory position has carried added significance following personal circumstances he has previously disclosed. The WBA was not prepared to override the mandatory defense again, sources said.
With Romero unable to proceed with a voluntary defense, the Pacquiao matchup was removed from consideration. Pacquiao had been linked to a potential return at welterweight in early 2026, but no alternative opponent has been confirmed following the collapse of the Romero talks.
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Last Updated on 12/29/2025
