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 situation.
Romero is due 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 fight to take place first, but that request was denied, effectively halting talks.
The WBA’s decision followed previous instances in which Giyasov’s mandatory post was delayed or reworked to accommodate higher-profile fights. This time, the sanctioning body refused to grant another exception, cementing Giyasov’s status as the next required opponent.
Giyasov has remained publicly committed to pursuing the title fight, and his mandatory position took on added meaning following personal circumstances he had previously disclosed. The WBA was not prepared to ignore the mandatory defense again, sources said.
With Romero unable to proceed with a voluntary defense, the Pacquiao bout was removed from consideration. Pacquiao has been linked with a possible 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 29/12/2025
