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Negotiations for a proposed fight between Manny Pacquiao and Rolando Romero have broken down due to Romero’s inability to circumvent his mandatory title obligation, according to sources familiar with the matter.
Romero is scheduled to defend his WBA welterweight title against mandatory challenger Shakhram Giyasov. Romero’s team requested an exemption from the WBA that would have allowed the Pacquiao fight to take place first, but that request was denied, effectively ending the talks.
The WBA’s decision follows previous cases in which Giyasov’s mandatory post was delayed or bypassed to allow for higher-profile fights. This time, the sanctioning body refused to grant another exception, solidifying Giyasov’s status as the next required opponent.
Giyasov has remained publicly committed to continuing the title fight, and his position as proxy takes on added significance given the personal circumstances he has previously revealed. The WBA was not prepared to override the mandatory defense again, sources said.
With Romero unable to make a voluntary defense, the match against Pacquiao was removed from consideration. Pacquiao had been linked with a potential return to welterweight in early 2026, but no alternative opponent was confirmed after Romero’s talks broke down.
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Last updated on 12/29/2025
