The Irishman wants the world to know that he is more than willing to lace up his boots and take on the legendary Pac-Man in December.

Paddy Donovan has thrown his hat into the ring to be the opponent for Manny Pacquiao when he makes his return to the ring.

The iconic Pacquiao, now 47, is thought to be returning to the ring soon as he continues his comeback into the sport.

Pacquiao remained active in boxing up until 2021 when he lost to Yordenis Ugas, before taking four years out of the sport, seemingly retired, until he made his comeback in July 2025, losing to Mario Barrios by majority decision with the WBC Welterweight title on the line.

Another comeback is on the cards for Pacquiao, and no shortage of names have been mentioned when it comes to a potential opponent.

Fresh off a Croke Park stoppage of Tyrone McKenna, Paddy Donovan is eager to be 'Pac-Man's' next dance partner, although he acknowledges that it is a long-shot at this point.

“Manny Pacquiao is looking for an active opponent. My manager, Keith Sullivan, has reached out to his team,” Donovan said on Total Boxing with Tris Dixon.

“They’ve been in talks about making the fight happen. Look, it’s a long shot. It’d be great. Manny Pacquiao’s a phenomenal fighter, a legend of the sport, and it’d be a dream come true to fight Manny.”

Joe Cordina appears to be the man in-situ to fight Pacquiao, with the undercard of Tyson Fury v Anthony Joshua at Cardiff's Principality Stadium in December the likeliest venue for such a bout.

Donovan knows Cordina is the front-runner, but he couldn't forgive himself if he didn't at least let the legendary Pacquiao know that he was willing and ready to fight.

“Yeah, it’s great. But look, I think an Irishman, Paddy Donovan, on the verge of fighting for the world title. Manny Pacquiao probably needing a win to get back in the mix with the world champions. I think it sounds like a great fight,” Donovan said.

“Whatever he [Pacquiao] decides, I just want to let him know that I’m free and I’m available and I’d give him a good fight,” he added.

After losing two world title fights to Lewis Crocker, Donovan finds himself on a two-fight winning streak and looked back to his best as he took apart Tyrone McKenna at Croke Park in September.