A major update has been revealed over Manny Pacquiao‘s return to the ring.

Boxing legend Pacquiao was last in action back in July 2025 when at the age of 46 he challenged Mario Barrios for the WBC welterweight title.

It was the first time the Filipino icon had been in the ring since 2021 and many fans expected the younger Barrios to have too much for his rival, but Pacquiao proved he was still able to compete at that level as he fought to a majority decision draw after 12 rounds.

Now ahead of his 48th birthday next month, Pacquiao still isn’t content with hanging up the gloves, having been linked to a return to the ring throughout 2026, with it initially appearing like that would come against former foe Floyd Mayweather.

Despite the promise of a high-profile rematch of their 2015 encounter, the Mayweather fight wasn’t able to materialise, and Pacquiao had instead been rumoured to compete on the Tyson Fury vs. Anthony Joshua card at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff on December 11.

Shakur Stevenson was initially rumoured to be the opponent, before Joe Cordina and Paddy Donovan each claimed they were in talks for the bout, but it seems as if neither of those contests will now come to fruition.

That is because Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn has told IFL TV that Pacquiao is no longer set to feature on the card.

“I know that Pacquiao is not on the card.”

It means that boxing fans will have to wait until 2027 to potentially see Pacquiao back in the ring, while the star attraction on the Fury vs. Joshua undercard instead looks to be a heavyweight bout between former WBC champion Deontay Wilder and cruiserweight star Jai Opetaia.