Rolando “Rolly” Romero has accused Manny Pacquiao of ducking him — while, in the same breath, hailing the 47-year-old Filipino as an “all-time legend”. Speaking to Boxing News Online, the reigning WBA welterweight champion made clear he wanted the Pac-Man — and believes the eight-division great swerved him.
Romero, 30, had explored a Pacquiao showdown earlier this year, feeling he held a bargaining chip after upsetting Ryan Garcia in May 2025 — dropping and outpointing him to claim the WBA ‘Regular’ title. He was upgraded to full welterweight champion once Jaron Ennis, the former unified 147lb king, moved up to super-welterweight. The Pacquiao fight never materialised; instead, ‘Rolly’ lands a defence against Teofimo Lopez on August 22.
“He ducked me,” Romero said. “But [Pacquiao’s a] legend, all-time legend.”
What’s Next For Manny Pacquiao?
Pacquiao returned from a temporary retirement in July 2025, boxing to a contentious draw with then-WBC champion Mario Barrios — his first outing since losing to Yordenis Ugas in 2021. A blockbuster rematch with Floyd Mayweather had been penciled in for later this year, but that has since collapsed, leaving the Manny Pacquiao next-fight picture wide open.
For now, Romero’s jab lands only in the press. But with the WBA champion tied up against Lopez and Pacquiao hunting a new dance partner, the door to a genuine 147lb title tilt is not quite shut. Read more on Pacquiao’s comeback so far.
