The global boxing landscape has been sent into a frenzy with reports suggesting that the legendary Manny Pacquiao could share a historic double main event with the undefeated Shakur Stevenson. This blockbuster matchup is rumored to take place on the highly anticipated undercard of the heavyweight showdown between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua on December 11. However, while the prospect of such a star-studded night has captured the imagination of fight fans worldwide, a closer inspection reveals that there is currently very little concrete substance behind the proposed Pacquiao vs. Stevenson clash.
The speculative matchup has quickly become attached to what is already shaping up to be an enormous night of boxing at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales. Reports have circulated that streaming giant Netflix is eager to secure the Pacquiao-Stevenson fight as part of a historic double-header, aiming to maximize global viewership for the December card. Yet, despite the mounting excitement online, the reality behind the scenes remains far more complicated. As it stands, neither Manny Pacquiao nor Shakur Stevenson has received an official bout agreement, and crucial details—including Pacquiao’s financial terms—are reportedly still in the midst of ongoing negotiations.
To gain clarity on the rapidly spreading rumors, World Boxing News reached out directly to Manny Pacquiao’s promotional team. The speculation surrounding a potential fight with Stevenson is a relatively recent development, especially considering the updates provided by MP Promotions President Sean Gibbons. Just 16 days prior to the latest wave of rumors, Gibbons spoke exclusively to WBN on September 8, addressing the initial whispers linking the Filipino icon with the American star.
At the time, Gibbons was blunt about the situation. "I don’t know anything about it," Gibbons told WBN, downplaying any immediate plans for Pacquiao to share a ring with Stevenson.
Despite the lack of official progress on a Stevenson contract, Pacquiao has not been idle. The former eight-division world champion was already back in training when Gibbons spoke to WBN in early September. Pacquiao’s return to the gym came after he finally moved on from long-discussed plans to secure a high-profile rematch with his historic rival, Floyd Mayweather, before the end of the year.
When asked separately about the possibility of reviving the Mayweather rivalry for a second professional or exhibition bout, Gibbons was far more definitive in his assessment. "It’s gone for this year for sure," Gibbons stated, effectively closing the door on a Mayweather-Pacquiao sequel for the remainder of the current calendar year.
With the Mayweather rematch officially off the table, Pacquiao remains in search of an opponent if he intends to step back into the professional ranks for a bout. This search has kept his name active in boxing circles, with Stevenson’s name floating around as a potential adversary for several weeks. However, the gap between speculative rumors and signed contracts in professional boxing is notoriously wide, and Pacquiao vs. Stevenson remains a long way from being finalized, let alone ready to be officially added to the Fury vs. Joshua bill in Cardiff.
If the fight is ever to transition from a fan fantasy into a signed reality, organizers and promoters will have to overcome several massive hurdles. The first and most obvious of these is the stark contrast in the fighters’ ages and career trajectories. Manny Pacquiao is currently 47 years old and will celebrate his 48th birthday just six days after the proposed December 11 fight date. He is a living legend whose professional career spans three decades, but he is undeniably operating in the twilight of his athletic life.
In contrast, Shakur Stevenson is 29 years old, undefeated, and widely regarded as one of the finest technical boxers in the world today. As a multi-division champion, Stevenson is operating at the absolute peak of his physical and athletic powers. A matchup between a 47-year-old veteran and a prime 29-year-old champion presents significant matchmaking and competitive questions, adding to the skepticism surrounding the event.
Beyond the age disparity, weight remains another major obstacle that must be resolved. Finding a mutually agreeable weight limit for the fight is no simple task. Stevenson has recently made public statements indicating his reluctance to climb too high up the weight scales, expressing a desire to go no higher than 144 pounds for any potential matchups in the welterweight division.
Pacquiao, on the other hand, recently returned from a lengthy four-year competitive layoff to challenge Mario Barrios. That high-profile return took place in July 2025, with Pacquiao competing at the full 147-pound welterweight limit. Asking Pacquiao to cut down to a catchweight of 144 pounds, or convincing Stevenson to fight at the full welterweight limit of 147 pounds, represents a significant logistical hurdle. Securing the necessary financial backing, agreeing on a precise fight weight, and obtaining signatures on bout agreements from both camps represents a monumental task—one that promoters must complete before any promotional materials or fight posters can be printed.
Fury vs Joshua December 11
While uncertainty and skepticism continue to cloud the Pacquiao vs. Stevenson rumor, the main event for December 11 is no longer a matter of speculation. The long-awaited, highly anticipated British heavyweight clash between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua has officially been confirmed for the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.
The confirmation brings an end to months of intense speculation regarding the venue and location of the historic heavyweight bout. Initially, plans were heavily explored to stage the massive British collision at the iconic Madison Square Garden in New York City. However, those international plans ultimately fell by the wayside, paving the way for the fight to return to domestic soil. The decision to host the event at the Principality Stadium ensures that British boxing fans will get to witness one of the most significant domestic heavyweight matchups in history on home turf.
With Fury vs. Joshua officially locked in, the rumored Pacquiao vs. Stevenson matchup remains the primary "fantasy" element of what would otherwise be an extraordinary double main event. The contrasts between the two bookings could not be sharper: one is a fully finalized, contractually secured heavyweight blockbuster, while the other remains a speculative concept with numerous unresolved details. Neither Pacquiao nor Stevenson has put pen to paper, the financial terms for the legendary Filipino fighter are still being negotiated, and a mutually agreeable weight limit has yet to be established.
Nevertheless, if the promotional teams involved can somehow navigate these complex negotiations and bring the fight to fruition, it would make for an unparalleled night of boxing. The prospect of Manny Pacquiao making his professional debut in the United Kingdom at the age of 47—just days shy of his 48th birthday—against an undefeated, elite four-division champion would be an historic event in its own right. Placing a matchup of that magnitude alongside or immediately beneath a Tyson Fury vs. Anthony Joshua heavyweight clash would instantly create one of the most extraordinary and star-studded boxing cards ever staged on British soil.
For the time being, however, boxing fans must separate rumor from reality. Tyson Fury vs. Anthony Joshua is officially happening on December 11 in Cardiff, bringing years of anticipation to a climax. Meanwhile, Manny Pacquiao vs. Shakur Stevenson remains a distant prospect, with a long and difficult road ahead before it can join the heavyweight giants on the marquee. Should the promoters defy the odds and secure all four fighters for the Cardiff card, the United Kingdom will play host to one of the biggest and most memorable boxing spectacles in the history of the sport.
