World Boxing News can exclusively report that Manny Pacquiao will continue fighting after his comeback and wants to face Gervonta Davis.
Pacquiao returns from a four-year absence to challenge WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios on July 19. Win or lose against the Mexican-American boxer, Pacquiao will charge forward with another contest in 2026, says right-hand man Sean Gibbons.
Speaking to WBN, Gibbons informed Worldboxingnews.com from the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles of Pacquiao’s plans to fight Davis, an ex-Floyd Mayweather protégé.
“It took a roundabout way, Phil, but we got here,” Gibbons told World Boxing News. “We would have liked Conor Benn and would have liked Gervonta Davis, but Manny Pacquiao had one thing in mind.
“He started with the WBC world title, which was his first belt (WBC flyweight). This will be an amazing full-circle moment to win another WBC belt, and it won’t be his last.
“When he beats Mario Barrios, line them up. His dream fight is Gervonta Davis. He loves that fight.
“He tried to get that fight for a couple of years. Gervonta kept talking about how he didnt want to fight him at 145. Then he goes and gets smoked by Lamont Roach.
“So Manny Pacquiao can get this belt, and it’s going to be a wonderful ride out,” he added.
Manny Pacquiao Keith Thurman down Stephanie Trapp The former Filipino senator became the oldest welterweight world champion in history when defeating Keith Thurman in July 2019. Six years on, he wants to extend the record witnessed ringside by WBN at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
Pacquiao’s triumph earned the eight-weight king the WBN Fighter of the Year trophy for 2019.
After his induction into the International Boxing Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2025, Pacquiao looks to extend his 72-fight career to at least 74 bouts.
The 46-year-old, a champion in eight weight divisions, can win the WBC welterweight championship for the first time in his career. The legend’s return comes four years after he lost the WBA welterweight title to Yordenis Ugas at the T-Mobile Arena in his last fight.
Picking up the gloves again to secure another shot at glory, Pacquiao can become the only boxer under 175 pounds to claim a world title after 45.
Only George Foreman and Bernard Hopkins can claim the honor, alongside Pacquiao if he rips the strap from Barrios.
