Philippines, 09 Jan 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


PACQUIAO RELINQUISHES RING MAGAZINE TITLE


PhilBoxing.com


It’s now official!

Manny Pacquiao has decided to relinquish his Ring Magazine Featherweight title, as he expressed interest in campaigning solely in the Jr. Lightweight division.

Ring Magazine Philippine correspondent Ted Lerner has informed that last Friday, Pacquiao had sent a faxed letter to Ring Magazine Editor-in-Chief Nigel Collins informing the latter of his intention to campaign solely in the junior lightweight class.

"I look forward to gaining The Ring belt in my new weight class soon," Pacquiao said in the letter.

Collins, who visited the country in March, 2004 to present the Featherweight strap to Pacquiao at the Malacanang Palace, issued this statement: "I'd like to thank Manny Pacquiao for representing The Ring Magazine so honorably during his reign as featherweight champion and wish him the best of luck in his campaign at 130 pounds. Perhaps one day I will have the pleasure of presenting him with The Ring Magazine's junior lightweight championship belt."

Upon the announcement, Lerner said, The Ring editors immediately installed Pacquiao at the number three slot among the 130-pounders, behind Marco Antonio Barrera and Erik Morales.

The Ring title, which is perhaps the most difficult belt to obtain in boxing and is considered by boxing purists as an indication of the true champion, is currently vacant at Jr. Lightweight.

“The champion's slot can only be filled when the number one and number two ranked contenders square off, or, on certain occasions, when the number one and number three fight each other,” Lerner said.

Pacquiao is currently in New York awaiting for tomorrow’s trial which will fire off his quest to get back millions of dollars from estranged promoter Murad Muhammad. The Filipino ring icon has hurled a $13 million suit against Muhammad on five claims of relief and $20 million in punitive damages under New York Judge Loretta Preska.

Meanwhile, another top Filipino fighter, OPBF minimumweight kingpin Rodel Mayol, is featured in the latest Ring Magazine issue which has Sylvester Stallone and Sugar Ray Leonard on the cover.

Mayol has recently severed ties with Stonewall Boxing Gym and hooked up with Japanese Yasuo Matsuoka, a Tokyo businessman married to a Filipina.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Salven L. Lagumbay.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • ‘I’m ready to make some noise’ Billy Quinncroft returns for Cruiserweight title Clash March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
    , Fri, 09 Jan 2026
  • Dableo and Laylo's Team to Compete in Bulacan
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 09 Jan 2026
  • Sanman Boxing present Yeerken vs. Carcedo WBA Asia South Title Clash in General Santos City on Feb 9
    , Fri, 09 Jan 2026
  • Hardstone adds 2 more title fights on January 26
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 09 Jan 2026
  • Panamerican Boxing Confederation Partners with Xempower for Digital and AI-Driven Transformation
    , Fri, 09 Jan 2026
  • IGMOB TALENT GROUP Launches www.IGMOBTalent.com to Represent Fighters, Entertainers, and Rising Talent Across Sports & Media
    , Fri, 09 Jan 2026
  • SEAG Davao-based athletes eye International stints
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 09 Jan 2026
  • Canoy banking on his ring experience against Kuse
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 08 Jan 2026
  • Undefeated Kansas Middleweight Prospect Marco “El Tiburon” Romero finished 2025 with 7th triumphs, all by knockout, & 11-0 record
    , Thu, 08 Jan 2026
  • Kinetix Sports aims for bigger events in 2026
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 08 Jan 2026
  • 2026 Santa Maria Town Fiesta Chess Challenge on January 26
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 08 Jan 2026
  • World Ranked Heavyweight Dainier Pero Headlines on Saturday, January 17th at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia
    , Wed, 07 Jan 2026
  • Jahyae Brown to Battle Arnold Gonzalez in Exciting Co-Feature on Thursday, January 15th at The War Memorial in Trenton, New Jersey
    , Wed, 07 Jan 2026
  • Hendri Cedeno Seeks Monumental Victory Against Alfredo Santiago for NABO Title January 10 at Barclays Center
    , Tue, 06 Jan 2026
  • Kingsley Ibeh learned from his Loss 5 years ago to Jared Anderson
    , Tue, 06 Jan 2026
  • Unified World Cruiserweight Champion Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez returning to Corpus Christi…as a promoter!
    , Tue, 06 Jan 2026
  • Ocum to fight Ballesteros on January 26
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 05 Jan 2026
  • SEA Plus Youth Games - Tolentino
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 05 Jan 2026
  • 87th Kalilangan Chess Festival Featuring Manny Pacquiao International Open to Push Through
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 05 Jan 2026
  • Deniega to fight Oka in Japan
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 02 Jan 2026
  • Illness forces Paddy Donovan to withdraw from IBF Welterweight World Eliminator January 16 versus Liam Paro in Australia
    , Fri, 02 Jan 2026
  • Canadian World Cruiserweight Contender Ryan Rozicki returning to ring March 7th
    , Thu, 01 Jan 2026
  • Lover Boy on hot streak
    By Joaquin Henson, , Wed, 31 Dec 2025
  • Silvano fights Gurung on January 13 in Hong Kong
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 31 Dec 2025
  • GM Laylo faces tough competition in Caloocan rapid chess
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 31 Dec 2025




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.