It now appears that Manny Pacquiao’s long-rumored fight against Rolando “Rolly” Romero is off the table. This comes after boxing scribe Mike Coppinger reported that the Pacquiao and Romero camps couldn’t agree on a deal that would pit the two against each other for Romero’s WBA welterweight belt.
While that may disappoint fans hoping for chaos and fireworks, it might actually be a blessing in disguise, as it means Pacquiao can explore other options that could be a better fit, either from a legacy standpoint or a financial perspective. The fact is, at 46, Pacquiao no longer has the luxury of mismatches disguised as spectacle. Neither can he go after the sport’s elite. So, if the fighting pride of the Philippines is going to lace the gloves up again, the fight has to make sense—competitively, commercially, and historically.
With talks collapsing, Pacquiao is left with a familiar crossroads. The wrong choice cheapens the legend. The right one adds clarity to an already unmatched career. But who really makes sense for the PacMan at this point? Here are four names he and his team should consider:
Lewis Crocker: Lower Risk but With a Shot at History
Lewis Crocker is not a big name globally, but he is the IBF welterweight champion. That alone changes the conversation.
A fight with Crocker would be dangerous. Then again, any and all fights pose danger to a 46-year-old, past-his-prime former champion. But the 28-year-old Irishman might be among the least dangerous foes out there who holds a belt. Though 22-0, Crocker isn’t exactly an explosive puncher; neither does he have concussive power or blazing speed. He is technically sound, but he doesn’t look like someone Pacquiao can’t handle—at least not yet.
And again, Crocker is a titleholder, and that makes him a prime target for the belt-seeking Pacquiao, who will make history as the oldest welterweight champion ever if he can win another title at 147.
Mario Barrios: Championship Hopes With a Tinge of Revenge
Pacquiao already showed he could hang with Barrios. In fact, quite a few believe he did enough to beat the Mexican the first time they fought back in July 2025. That’s reason enough for the PacMan camp to pursue a rematch with vigor.
To be fair, Barrios is solid, professional, and durable. However, he isn’t an overwhelming physical force. Stylistically, he might even be far more forgiving than Crocker. He stands upright, can be outworked, and does not possess one-punch erasing power at welterweight. For Pacquiao, this is the kind of fight that allows him to rely on timing, angles, and experience rather than youth and explosiveness. It is competitive without being reckless.
More importantly, a Barrios fight still comes with a belt. And for Pacquiao, championships—not exhibitions—are the currency that matters.
Conor Benn: A Stylistic Fit and a Stepping Stone
Conor Benn is ranked No. 2 by the WBA, and while controversy has followed him, his name still carries weight—especially in the UK market.
This fight is less about belts and more about relevance. Benn is fast, aggressive, and emotionally charged. He fights like someone desperate to prove something, which often creates openings. Against Pacquiao’s experience and counterpunching instincts, that recklessness could be costly.
At the same time, Benn’s youth and physicality ensure the fight is no formality. If Pacquiao beats Benn, he doesn’t just win a fight—he beats a top contender from the current generation. That matters for legacy and should make him an unavoidable contender at 147.
Floyd Mayweather Jr.: The Rematch That Never Goes Away
Like it or not, this fight will always make sense. A Pacquiao–Mayweather rematch would be a mega-fight, even a decade after their first meeting. Time has not diminished public interest; if anything, unfinished business has kept it alive.
Yes, Mayweather is retired. Yes, the first fight disappointed many. And yes, this would lean more toward spectacle than competition. But unlike anyone else, Mayweather brings history, narrative, and commercial gravity. If Pacquiao is going to do one last massive payday, it might as well be against the man most intertwined with his legacy.
If this is the end, then ending it where the conversation began is not the worst way to go.
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Again, and this bears repeating, Manny Pacquiao has nothing left to prove. But if he insists on adding another chapter to his storied career, then every opponent must make sense and justify the risk. Romero, with his style and the fact that he is a champion, fit the bill, but it appears to be off the table. Now, the search starts over, and Crocker, Barrios, Benn, and Mayweather are names Team Pacquiao need to look at seriously.
At 46, Pacquiao does not need chaos. He needs clarity.
And this time, the choice will define how the story truly ends.
