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For quite a while, Manny Pacquiao had teased a return to boxing. The fighting itch never went away for PacMan, who at 45 years old returned to the sport for an exhibition fight against kickboxer Rukiya Anpo. A three-round draw didn't exactly inspire confidence.
But Pacquiao was able to secure a world title fight at 46 years old against WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios. On fight night, Pacquiao turned back the clock with an impressive performance that led to a majority draw. That performance galvanized Pacquiao, who wants to continue fighting. And he will in 2026.
Manny Pacquiao to fight Ruslan Provodnikov in exhibition in 2026
This time around, though, it won't be an officially sanctioned bout. Pacquiao will be taking on Ruslan Provodnikov in a welterweight exhibition match. Provodnikov retired from boxing in 2016 and delved into politics shortly after, similar to Pacquiao.
Provodnikov just turned 42 years old and, like Pacquiao, had floated the idea of a return to boxing a few years after his final fight in 2016. The Russian finished his professional boxing career with a 25-5 record, with his crowning achievement being a win over Mike Alvarado that earned him the WBO light welterweight title.
Pacquiao and Provodnikov will fight in Las Vegas, Nevada. The event will take place at the Thomas & Mack Center, the home of the UNLV Runnin' Rebels basketball team. The event is tentatively scheduled for April 18.
While Pacquiao was surely hoping for an officially sanctioned bout, an exhibition fight allows him to stay in shape and in form for a potentially bigger fight at the end of this year.