BoxRec

both dude are hell of a fighter hope this exhibition will turn into war

Manny Pacquiao pivots to face Ruslan Provodnikov in April 18 exhibition

After announcing a Jan. 24 fight date that never came to be, and entertaining matchups with Floyd Mayweather and WBA welterweight champ Rolly Romero, Pacquiao moved on to Ruslan Provodnikov for a 10-round welterweight exhibition match on April 18 at Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas.

The exhibition was announced Tuesday by event organizers Indistry Media and Arthur Pelullo’s Banner Promotions.

“I carry the Philippines with me every time I fight,” said Pacquiao in a statement. “The support from my country and from fans around the world continues to inspire me. Returning to Las Vegas means so much to me, and I’m excited to work with a team focused on creating a world-class experience for the fans. I’m coming back to give them a great fight — and I’m ready.”

Pacquiao (62-8-3, 39 KOs) returned from a four-year retirement in July and fought to a majority draw against WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios. Pacquiao turned 47 in December and was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in June.

Provodnikov (25-5, 18 KOs) hasn’t fought as a pro since 2016. Now 42, he retired after losing four of his last seven fights. Although the stretch was uneven, it was a significant one that put Provodnikov’s name on the boxing map, especially after his 2013 Fight of the Year against Timothy Bradley.

After the war against Bradley, Provodnikov, nicknamed "The Siberian Rocky," beat Mike Alvarado for the WBO 140-pound title in 2013 but failed to defend it next time out against Chris Algieri in 2014. Provodnikov also knocked out a war-torn version of Jose Luis Castillo that year and dropped a majority decision against Lucas Matthysse in 2015.

“Manny and Ruslan should have faced each other earlier in their careers, and it’s a shame it didn’t happen sooner, but at least we are getting it now,” Pelullo said in a statement.

“Both Manny and Ruslan are among the most exciting, fan-friendly and TV-friendly fighters of their generation. Manny and Ruslan never back down and never give an inch. Manny showed in his last fight with Barrios that, despite his age, he is still a world-class fighter. Personally, I thought he won the fight and should be the WBC welterweight champion. As far as Ruslan is concerned, Ruslan has always wanted to get either Pacquiao or Mayweather in the ring, and now the opportunity is here. I am confident that Ruslan will steal the show and rise to the occasion.”

I'm glad retired fighters have a way to make a living without having to get hurt too badly, and it gives them an excuse to keep in shape.

That being said, when I hear "Exhibition" I don't care who's involved I simply cannot be interested in a fight which has nothing at stake.

These are 2 of my favorite fighters. I hope they get paid well for this.

Very lame choice for Pac after drawing with the World Champ.

goose 5 wrote: ↑18 Feb 2026, 20:04 Very lame choice for Pac after drawing with the World Champ.

Having a pro fight and then going back to exhibitions.

goose 5 wrote: ↑18 Feb 2026, 20:04 Very lame choice for Pac after drawing with the World Champ.

It does seem unusual. Felt natural that he'd go either for Barrios again or maybe for Romero, but I guess maybe he felt that he gave all he had to give in that draw.

If he finishes his Pro career on fighting to a draw for a World Title at 46 that's pretty cool. That'd be better than going out on a loss obviously, and realistically that may have been his last real chance to be able to win a World title.

He knows his body as well as anybody. He can probably feel it that it's just not in him anymore.

gilgamesh wrote: ↑19 Feb 2026, 13:49

goose 5 wrote: ↑18 Feb 2026, 20:04 Very lame choice for Pac after drawing with the World Champ.

It does seem unusual. Felt natural that he'd go either for Barrios again or maybe for Romero, but I guess maybe he felt that he gave all he had to give in that draw.

If he finishes his Pro career on fighting to a draw for a World Title at 46 that's pretty cool. That'd be better than going out on a loss obviously, and realistically that may have been his last real chance to be able to win a World title.

He knows his body as well as anybody. He can probably feel it that it's just not in him anymore.

It's two different things.

It's like complaining about someone drawing with a world champ then going on Dancing With the Stars. One is his boxing career, the other is his entertainment career. If he can make money doing this, why shouldn't he?

gp. wrote: ↑19 Feb 2026, 13:54

gilgamesh wrote: ↑19 Feb 2026, 13:49

goose 5 wrote: ↑18 Feb 2026, 20:04 Very lame choice for Pac after drawing with the World Champ.

It does seem unusual. Felt natural that he'd go either for Barrios again or maybe for Romero, but I guess maybe he felt that he gave all he had to give in that draw.

If he finishes his Pro career on fighting to a draw for a World Title at 46 that's pretty cool. That'd be better than going out on a loss obviously, and realistically that may have been his last real chance to be able to win a World title.

He knows his body as well as anybody. He can probably feel it that it's just not in him anymore.

It's two different things.

It's like complaining about someone drawing with a world champ then going on Dancing With the Stars. One is his boxing career, the other is his entertainment career. If he can make money doing this, why shouldn't he?

I think people just kinda figure that if Pac has any chance whatsoever at another significant victory as an active Pro boxer it's now or never. I don't think anyone is necessarily offended at the Exhibition bout. It just feels sort of like Pac is wasting time he doesn't have I suppose. If he's using the Exhibition as essentially paid sparring to get prepared for a bout in the Summer or something that's one thing, but he probably should just be preparing for his next actual bout if he intends to fight another one that is.

If he has no intentions of ever fighting again Professionally, that of course would be perfectly fine as well, and probably would be the wisest course of action.