The landscape of professional boxing is constantly evolving, with blockbuster events bringing together legendary names, rising stars, and high-stakes championship implications. As the combat sports world looks ahead to one of the biggest cards of the year, fresh developments continue to emerge regarding the supporting cast for the monumental December event headlined by heavyweight rivals Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua. Among the most intriguing storylines developing around the card is a potential cross-generational showdown involving Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao and two-time super-featherweight world champion Joe Cordina.
According to Cordina himself, the Welsh star has already agreed to the terms required to make the bout a reality and is now simply waiting for Pacquiao and his management team to finalize their side of the agreement. The matchup, should it come to fruition, would serve as a major highlight on a card that is already capturing the imagination of fight fans across the globe.
Manny Pacquiao, an unprecedented eight-division world champion whose legacy remains firmly etched in boxing history, has spent the entirety of 2026 on the sidelines. The Filipino legend had been patiently awaiting a heavily rumored and lucrative professional rematch against long-time rival Floyd Mayweather Jr. However, ongoing scheduling realities and logistical hurdles suggest that a second encounter between the two former pound-for-pound kings will likely not materialize until 2027. Consequently, with an extended gap in his active schedule, Pacquiao has been prominently linked to an appearance on the blockbuster December bill in the United Kingdom, sparking widespread speculation about who might stand across the ring from him.
While a host of names have been whispered by pundits and insiders as potential opponents for the future Hall of Famer, one prominent contender has stepped forward with concrete updates regarding his own involvement. Two-time super-featherweight world champion Joe Cordina has emerged as a leading candidate to serve as the legendary Filipino’s dance partner. Furthermore, the bout carries the added allure of taking place in Cordina’s home city of Cardiff, Wales, potentially transforming the Principality Stadium into an electric, partisan arena for the local favorite.
Speaking candidly during an appearance on talkSPORT Boxing, Cordina shed light on the current state of negotiations, confirming that his side of the equation is fully resolved. The Welshman indicated that the ball is now entirely in the court of Pacquiao and his representatives to give the green light.
"I have agreed everything, it’s over to them now, basically," Cordina explained during his interview with talkSPORT Boxing. "It is in my hometown so it makes sense me being on the show, obviously, against who? That doesn’t really matter to me, but Manny Pacquiao is a name that has been put forward to me and I have agreed everything."
The prospect of facing an icon of Pacquiao’s stature represents a career-defining moment for almost any fighter, and Cordina is no exception. However, securing this specific bout also requires navigating other pressing obligations within the sport. Cordina is currently positioned as the mandatory challenger for Abdullah Mason’s WBO lightweight world title, putting him in a fascinating position where he must weigh different championship and high-profile pathways.
Despite the traditional prestige associated with pursuing a standard world title defense against Mason, Cordina openly admitted that a showdown with Pacquiao holds far greater personal and professional appeal under the current circumstances. For the Welsh fighter, the opportunity to share the ring with an all-time great on a massive stadium card in front of his home supporters outweighs the immediate allure of a conventional championship belt.
"Whether it is him, Abdullah Mason or Shakur [Stevenson], it doesn’t really matter to me. I will fight anybody," Cordina stated, highlighting his willingness to test himself against the division’s elite. "For me, the main thing is just getting on the show. That is my goal, to get on the show, but for me to fight Manny Pacquiao on a show in my hometown in the Principality Stadium, that is just a different level."
Cordina further underscored his commitment to the Pacquiao opportunity by explicitly addressing his standing with the sanctioning bodies, noting that the magnitude of the event supersedes mandatory status. "I am mandatory for the WBO lightweight world title but, if Manny Pacquiao is on the plate for me, 100% I am taking that," he added.
The logistical framework of the proposed matchup adds another layer of intrigue to the negotiations. Depending on whether Cordina ultimately faces Mason for the WBO lightweight crown at 135 pounds or steps up in weight to welcome Pacquiao to the ring at a heavier limit, likely around 147 pounds, his training camp and strategic preparations will require precise adjustments.
Official news regarding the final makeup of the undercard for the Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua December event is expected to be announced in the near future. As the boxing world awaits final confirmation, Joe Cordina remains poised and ready, eagerly anticipating word on whether his next ring walk will feature a world title challenge against Abdullah Mason or a historic homecoming clash against Manny Pacquiao.
