Joe Cordina in play for Manny Pacquiao clash on Anthony Joshua-Tyson Fury undercard

[Ruthless-RKO]

Joe Cordina in play for Manny Pacquiao clash on Anthony Joshua-Tyson Fury undercard

Eddie Hearn has put forward a host of names to face Manny Pacquiao on the Tyson Fury-Anthony Joshua undercard at Cardiff, Wales’ Principality Stadium.

The most surprising of the bunch is former 130lbs world titleholder and Welshman Joe Cordina. The contest would pit the 34-year-old Cordina, who has been competing at lightweight in recent bouts, against a Hall of Famer in Pacquiao in his home city.

It had been reported by Boxing Scene’s Lance Pugmire that the now 47-year-old Pacquiao was in talks to face WBO 140lbs champion Shakur Stevenson, however, event organizers Sela then had their sights set on retired champions Amir Khan and Danny Garcia.

Hearn, the longtime promoter of Joshua, and as announced today one of the three promoters of Fury-Joshua, spoke to Boxing Scene and others about the situation with Pacquiao featuring on the undercard.

“It’s my understanding there’s some kind of agreement between Manny Pacquiao and Sela,” Hearn said. “Not for a Shakur Stevenson fight. I mean, Dana White said that’s not happening.”

Boxing News’ Danny Gilfillan then asked if there was any need for a legend like Pacquiao to feature on the undercard with the fight sold on the main event alone.

“There is if he fights Joe Cordina,” Hearn replied.

There were rumors that Cordina could face WBO lightweight champion Abdullah Mason on the card — a fight that was scrapped in July due to Cordina being denied a visa to the US. Hearn also revealed that contest could still happen and that he had also suggested other Matchroom fighters to face Pacquiao.

“We’ve put forward to Sela, Joe Cordina against Abdullah Mason,” he said. “I also said to Sela last night, if you need an opponent for Manny Pacquiao, we’ve got Jack Catterall, Conor Walker, Lewis Crocker and Joe Cordina.”

The contest would take place at 147lbs and Cordina would be the only fighter from that list who is not currently competing at welterweight.

“I’ve not even spoke to Joe about moving to 147lbs,” said Hearn. “I’ll tell you what, I know 140lbs would be fine for Joe. But dare I say Manny Pacquiao is not a massive welterweight? I don’t know.

“But I want Joe on the card because he’s a two-time world champion from Wales. And if he fights Abdullah Mason or Manny Pacquiao, that’s a great fight. Or Sam Noakes for a vacant title.”

[Bigdogsnose]

I reckon we'd know how that conversation would go. Cant see manny being over keen to fight someone he's never heard of.

[Wales]

what they going to call the card

“Washed up”

[Ruthless-RKO]

Joe Cordina agrees to terms with Pacquiao on Fury-Joshua bill

Former IBF junior lightweight world champion Joe Cordina is poised to end a year-long layoff in his home city.

There has been plenty of speculation surrounding Manny Pacquiao's in-ring return in recent months.

The 47-year-old Filipino legend was encouraged to continue boxing professionally after his 12-round majority draw against then-WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios in July 2025.

Yet while several names and proposed fights across multiple weight divisions have been rumored, nothing has materialized.

Matchroom Boxing chief Eddie Hearn shared that while not official, everything is settled for a big chief support bout preceding Tyson Fury-Anthony Joshua at Cardiff's Principality Stadium on December 11, live on Netflix.

"We've agreed terms to fight Manny Pacquiao but, I'm not saying it's done," Hearn told The Ring on Thursday.

"We were approached about the fight, agreed the purse and now we're waiting to hear. I think Pacquiao-Cordina at Millennium Stadium would be wild, a kid from Cardiff fighting Pacquiao after everything he's been through recently as well. Hopefully Sela make that fight, Pacquiao is in for it and that's what we'll get."

Pacquiao-Cordina would be contested at welterweight. If agreed, this would represent a first fight on British shores for Pacquiao (62-8-3, 39 KOs), who has long shared his desire to fight in the country before retiring.

Fantasy fights against welterweight duo Amir Khan and Conor Benn were explored but fell through over the past decade, and the 2025 Hall of Fame inductee will end a 17-month layoff should terms be agreed.

BS reported last month that Pacquiao had an agreement with Sela to feature on the Tyson Fury-Anthony Joshua undercard with four British names offered up as potential opponents.

Cordina (19-1, 9 KOs) was originally training for a July 4 shot at WBO world lightweight champion Abdullah Mason, after outpointing Gabriel Flores in a December 2025 final eliminator.

Pending criminal charges saw him denied a US travel visa, though the case was dismissed on October 20. A judge found the 34-year-old not guilty of assault following a trial at Cardiff Magistrates' Court.

The former champion's lawyer Nadeem Majid would later tell the assembled media: "Joe would now like to continue to concentrate on his family and boxing, and we'd all like to see him on the bill in December."

Mason scored a come-from-behind stoppage win over Albert Bell in Cordina's absence, and has been open this week about returning sometime in December to make his second title defense before the year ends.

[SeanBrennan]

If it’s outside a petrol station Joe by bodyshot.

If it’s in the ring Joe PTS win.

[MightyWarrior]

Who next for this waxworks museum card?

[londonwar]

Joe Cordina in play for Manny Pacquiao clash on Anthony Joshua-Tyson Fury undercard

Eddie Hearn has put forward a host of names to face Manny Pacquiao on the Tyson Fury-Anthony Joshua undercard at Cardiff, Wales’ Principality Stadium.

The most surprising of the bunch is former 130lbs world titleholder and Welshman Joe Cordina. The contest would pit the 34-year-old Cordina, who has been competing at lightweight in recent bouts, against a Hall of Famer in Pacquiao in his home city.

It had been reported by Boxing Scene’s Lance Pugmire that the now 47-year-old Pacquiao was in talks to face WBO 140lbs champion Shakur Stevenson, however, event organizers Sela then had their sights set on retired champions Amir Khan and Danny Garcia.

Hearn, the longtime promoter of Joshua, and as announced today one of the three promoters of Fury-Joshua, spoke to Boxing Scene and others about the situation with Pacquiao featuring on the undercard.

“It’s my understanding there’s some kind of agreement between Manny Pacquiao and Sela,” Hearn said. “Not for a Shakur Stevenson fight. I mean, Dana White said that’s not happening.”

Boxing News’ Danny Gilfillan then asked if there was any need for a legend like Pacquiao to feature on the undercard with the fight sold on the main event alone.

“There is if he fights Joe Cordina,” Hearn replied.

There were rumors that Cordina could face WBO lightweight champion Abdullah Mason on the card — a fight that was scrapped in July due to Cordina being denied a visa to the US. Hearn also revealed that contest could still happen and that he had also suggested other Matchroom fighters to face Pacquiao.

“We’ve put forward to Sela, Joe Cordina against Abdullah Mason,” he said. “I also said to Sela last night, if you need an opponent for Manny Pacquiao, we’ve got Jack Catterall, Conor Walker, Lewis Crocker and Joe Cordina.”

The contest would take place at 147lbs and Cordina would be the only fighter from that list who is not currently competing at welterweight.

“I’ve not even spoke to Joe about moving to 147lbs,” said Hearn. “I’ll tell you what, I know 140lbs would be fine for Joe. But dare I say Manny Pacquiao is not a massive welterweight? I don’t know.

“But I want Joe on the card because he’s a two-time world champion from Wales. And if he fights Abdullah Mason or Manny Pacquiao, that’s a great fight. Or Sam Noakes for a vacant title.”

Are you a boxing fan?

[Ruthless-RKO]

Joe Cordina in play for Manny Pacquiao clash on Anthony Joshua-Tyson Fury undercard

Eddie Hearn has put forward a host of names to face Manny Pacquiao on the Tyson Fury-Anthony Joshua undercard at Cardiff, Wales’ Principality Stadium.

The most surprising of the bunch is former 130lbs world titleholder and Welshman Joe Cordina. The contest would pit the 34-year-old Cordina, who has been competing at lightweight in recent bouts, against a Hall of Famer in Pacquiao in his home city.

It had been reported by Boxing Scene’s Lance Pugmire that the now 47-year-old Pacquiao was in talks to face WBO 140lbs champion Shakur Stevenson, however, event organizers Sela then had their sights set on retired champions Amir Khan and Danny Garcia.

Hearn, the longtime promoter of Joshua, and as announced today one of the three promoters of Fury-Joshua, spoke to Boxing Scene and others about the situation with Pacquiao featuring on the undercard.

“It’s my understanding there’s some kind of agreement between Manny Pacquiao and Sela,” Hearn said. “Not for a Shakur Stevenson fight. I mean, Dana White said that’s not happening.”

Boxing News’ Danny Gilfillan then asked if there was any need for a legend like Pacquiao to feature on the undercard with the fight sold on the main event alone.

“There is if he fights Joe Cordina,” Hearn replied.

There were rumors that Cordina could face WBO lightweight champion Abdullah Mason on the card — a fight that was scrapped in July due to Cordina being denied a visa to the US. Hearn also revealed that contest could still happen and that he had also suggested other Matchroom fighters to face Pacquiao.

“We’ve put forward to Sela, Joe Cordina against Abdullah Mason,” he said. “I also said to Sela last night, if you need an opponent for Manny Pacquiao, we’ve got Jack Catterall, Conor Walker, Lewis Crocker and Joe Cordina.”

The contest would take place at 147lbs and Cordina would be the only fighter from that list who is not currently competing at welterweight.

“I’ve not even spoke to Joe about moving to 147lbs,” said Hearn. “I’ll tell you what, I know 140lbs would be fine for Joe. But dare I say Manny Pacquiao is not a massive welterweight? I don’t know.

“But I want Joe on the card because he’s a two-time world champion from Wales. And if he fights Abdullah Mason or Manny Pacquiao, that’s a great fight. Or Sam Noakes for a vacant title.”

Are you a boxing fan?

No why do you ask

[Taansend]

Will he be fighting Pacquiao, Mason (who was born a little after Pacman first beat Barrera) or will he fight someone else?

My money is on Leigh Wood

[Ruthless-RKO]

Joe Cordina running out of time to secure Manny Pacquiao showdown

Joe Cordina’s hopes of ending an exceptionally difficult year on a high by facing Manny Pacquiao on the December 11 Tyson Fury-Anthony Joshua undercard in his hometown of Cardiff appear to be fading.

Cordina, 19-1 (9 KOs), was cleared of assault charges this month. Yet those charges had prevented him from entering the US for a shot at WBO lightweight champion Abdullah Mason in July.

BS reported last week that a contest with Cordina was, at the very least, being considered by the 47-year-old Filipino superstar.

Discussions had even progressed to the point that Wales’ Cordina had agreed to terms for the bout.

But so far, there has been no word from Pacquiao’s team.

And with less than two months to go before the huge Cardiff bill, time is running out for Pacquiao – who will be weighing his options carefully at this late, late stage of his career – to accept.

“Obviously, for me, the main thing is just getting on the show,” Cordina told talkSPORT.

“But for me to fight Manny Pacquiao on a show in my hometown in the Principality Stadium, that's on a different level.”

Cordina just wants to fight.

“It's six weeks on Friday. So, I need to know either way because if I'm fighting Abdullah Mason, that's at 135lbs, or if I'm fighting Manny Pacquiao, that is at 147lbs.

“I need to know because then my camp changes up a little bit.

“Not drastically, but my food, how I'm fueling, then comes into play.

“It's about making sure that I get everything right and to do that I need that information as to whether I'm going to be on the show.”