Boxing great Manny Pacquiao, 47, could be added to the Tyson Fury-Anthony Joshua undercard, with former world champion Joe Cordina having agreed terms as his opponent. Fury and Joshua are set to meet in an all-British heavyweight battle at Cardiff's Principality Stadium on 11 December. Promoter Eddie Hearn confirmed that negotiations for the undercard fight are at an advanced stage. "We've agreed terms to face Pacquiao, but we don't know if it's happening," Hearn revealed at a media event on Thursday. "From our side, we've agreed to do it."
Tickets for Fury-Joshua sold out in just one hour, and fans could now also see iconic eight-weight world champion Pacquiao face Wales' former super-featherweight world champion Cordina. Pacquiao is regarded as one of the best boxers of all time, and it would be the first time he has fought in the UK. Details of other fights on the card are yet to be released.
Pacquiao has not fought since July 2025, having returned from his second attempt at retirement. The Filipino icon would still be a draw for the huge global audience expected to watch the fight, which will be broadcast by streaming giant Netflix. The emergence of Cardiff-born Cordina, 34, as an opponent also adds a hometown flavour to the show. A former IBF super-featherweight champion, Cordina had been scheduled to face American Abduallah Mason for the WBO lightweight title in July before being denied a US visa. He remained in training while standing trial for assault allegations, eventually being cleared of all charges.
Pacquiao's last fight was a failed bid to take Mario Barrios' welterweight title, ending in a majority draw. He has a record of 62 wins from 73 fights and had been scheduled to face unbeaten Floyd Mayweather in September, but their rematch was postponed indefinitely in June. It would be Pacquiao's first fight against a British opponent since he beat Ricky Hatton in Las Vegas in 2009.
Source: BBC Sport · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing