Paulie Malignaggi accuses Manny Pacquiao of ducking him as comeback looms
Boxing legend Manny Pacquiao, at 47 years old, finds himself once again at the center of controversy as former two-weight world champion Paulie Malignaggi has openly accused him of avoiding a potential fight. This fresh accusation comes as Pacquiao continues to hint at another return to the ring, despite not having fought professionally since July 2025.
Malignaggi, known for his outspoken commentary, claims the Filipino icon is actively seeking any opponent other than himself, reigniting the long-standing debate over high-profile boxers allegedly “ducking” challenging matchups late in their careers. Pacquiao’s last significant bout saw him secure a draw against WBC ruler Mario Barrios in July 2025.
Malignaggi doubles down on “PacMan” avoidance claims
Paulie Malignaggi didn’t mince words when discussing Manny Pacquiao’s rumored comeback. Speaking to sports journalist Ariel Helwani, Malignaggi asserted that Pacquiao is deliberately sidestepping him.
He stated that the boxing legend is looking to fight “anybody but me right now,” despite Malignaggi putting his name forward as a willing opponent. Malignaggi went on to characterize Pacquiao as “100 years old,” a clear jab at the former eight-division world champion’s advanced age in a physically demanding sport.
He alleged that Pacquiao is now targeting opponents “20 pounds smaller than him just so he can fight,” suggesting a calculated move to secure an easier return.
The former IBF junior welterweight and WBA welterweight titleholder believes Pacquiao avoids him because of past criticisms. “He knows what I said about him, and he knows I’m right,” Malignaggi told Helwani.
According to Malignaggi, Pacquiao’s camp wouldn’t want those points “spewed out in that promotion.” This highlights the often-intense psychological warfare and public relations maneuvering that precedes major boxing events.
His comments imply a tactical decision by Pacquiao to protect his public image and fight narrative.
Pacquiao’s extended time away and recent ring returns
Manny Pacquiao’s boxing career has seen several hiatuses, with his last professional contest before the draw with Mario Barrios dating back to August 2021. In that bout, he suffered a loss in a WBA welterweight title fight against Yordenis Ugás. His draw with Barrios marks his most recent professional outing.
The Filipino southpaw, who will turn 48 in mid-December, has a storied professional record of 73 fights with eight losses. His enduring presence in boxing, even after multiple retirements and a significant political career, underscores his difficulty in fully stepping away from the sport.
Recent speculation had linked Pacquiao to potential fights with Shakur Stevenson and Paddy Donovan. There were even discussions about a bout against Joe Cordina as part of the undercard for a hypothetical Anthony Joshua versus Tyson Fury clash in December. However, these plans have reportedly fallen through.
Sources now indicate that if Pacquiao does make another return to the professional boxing scene, it’s more likely to occur in 2027. This extended timeline suggests a cautious approach to his comeback, potentially allowing for more selective opponent choices and extended preparation.
A history of high-profile “ducking” accusations
Accusations of Manny Pacquiao ducking elite fighters aren’t new; they’ve followed him throughout various stages of his illustrious career. Figures like Terence Crawford, Vasyl Lomachenko, and Mikey Garcia have all, at one point or another, been part of discussions where Pacquiao was alleged to be avoiding a matchup.
Bob Arum, Pacquiao’s former promoter and CEO of Top Rank, openly stated in March 2020 that Pacquiao was “ducking” Terence Crawford, even during their working relationship. Arum claimed Pacquiao “doesn’t wanna fight Crawford” and wasn’t “competitive” with him, igniting a significant boxing debate.
Crawford himself echoed these sentiments in December 2025, claiming he tried to secure a fight with Pacquiao as far back as 2015. He alleged the eight-division champion was “kept away” from him, suggesting external forces or Pacquiao’s team were responsible for avoiding the bout.
Such high-stakes negotiations are common in boxing, often defining a champion’s journey and public perception.
Conversely, Pacquiao maintained in September 2025 that he was “ready to fight Terence Crawford even BEFORE his showdown with Jeff Horn,” expressing a clear desire for the fight. This disagreement highlights the often-conflicting narratives in high-stakes boxing negotiations.
Negotiations for a potential Pacquiao-Crawford fight for June 5, 2021, in Abu Dhabi, ultimately collapsed due to funding issues. Despite Pacquiao signing his portion of the contract, the promised investment from stakeholders did not materialize.
Financial demands were substantial, with Pacquiao reportedly seeking $40 million and Crawford $9.5 million during earlier talks.
Lomachenko and Garcia bouts fall through
Another prominent name linked to Pacquiao was Vasyl Lomachenko, widely considered a pound-for-pound elite in 2018. Pacquiao, then 39, expressed interest in an April fight. However, Lomachenko’s manager, Egis Klimas, dismissed the idea as “insane” given the significant weight difference.
Lomachenko was a WBO super featherweight champion (130 lbs) planning a move to lightweight (135 lbs), while Pacquiao fought at welterweight (147 lbs). Klimas argued that Lomachenko beating an “old man” who had to drop weight wouldn’t benefit his client’s legacy, saying “If the fight happened, they’ll all say Lomachenko beat an old man.”
Mikey Garcia, a former four-division champion, also reported being “very close” to a fight with Pacquiao in 2019 for 2020. However, these negotiations for a July fight in Saudi Arabia reportedly “dying” by March 2020, eventually falling through.
Garcia later confirmed in May 2021 that a fight was “pretty much a done deal” before the global pandemic derailed plans. The protracted negotiations and eventual collapse of these high-profile fights have consistently fueled speculation about Pacquiao’s true intentions and willingness to take on certain opponents.
The Errol Spence Jr. withdrawal and its aftermath
The planned fight between Manny Pacquiao and IBF/WBC welterweight champion Errol Spence Jr. in August 2021 created considerable anticipation. Negotiations had reached an advanced stage by April 2021, culminating in an official announcement for an August 21 date in Las Vegas.
However, the highly anticipated clash was abruptly canceled just five days before the event. Spence withdrew on August 16, 2021, citing a torn retina. This sudden pull-out led to immediate accusations from some boxing fans and even former world champions like Bernard Hopkins that Spence was “ducking” Pacquiao, despite the official medical explanation.
Spence directly addressed these claims on Twitter, stating he had consulted “three different doctors and they all said the same thing.” Medical professionals later corroborated the legitimacy of the injury.
They emphasized that the Nevada State Athletic Commission would never clear a fighter with a torn retina due to the severe risk of permanent blindness. These unexpected challenges are a constant in high-stakes boxing, much like the preparations for a scheduled cruiserweight bout.
Ironically, by December 2022, it was Spence who publicly rejected the idea of fighting Pacquiao. He expressed concerns about facing an “old” legend, drawing parallels to Larry Holmes’ controversial win over a declining Muhammad Ali. This reversal of roles underscores the complex dynamics and perceptions surrounding fighters’ ages and legacies in boxing.
Gervonta Davis: a potential swansong or another missed opportunity?
As of August 2025, Manny Pacquiao, then 46, had publicly expressed interest in a fight with Gervonta Davis. However, Pacquiao laid down specific conditions: the bout would need to occur at a catchweight of 145 or 147 pounds.
Davis typically competes in much lower weight classes, usually at 130 or 135 pounds, making such a jump significant.
Pacquiao’s manager, Sean Gibbons, confirmed that facing Gervonta Davis was Pacquiao’s “dream fight,” a matchup he had “tried to get… for a couple of years.” This suggests genuine interest from Pacquiao’s camp in securing a legacy-defining fight against one of boxing’s current young stars.
Rumors regarding negotiations between Davis and Pacquiao for a potential 2026 fight have circulated widely, though no official confirmation has emerged. The disparity in weight classes presents a major hurdle, requiring substantial compromise from one or both sides to make the fight viable.
Former WBC junior welterweight champion Tim Bradley weighed in, suggesting Davis might be “checked out mentally” and susceptible to a Pacquiao victory if he isn’t fully focused.
Boxing legend Roy Jones Jr. added to the speculation, proposing that Pacquiao could still defeat fighters “struggling with their identity” like Davis, implying psychological vulnerabilities.
However, not all observers are convinced of Pacquiao’s chances. Fans on Reddit, in October 2023, widely speculated that Davis would likely “put 44 year old Pacquiao to sleep” if the fight were to happen. This indicates a strong belief among some that Pacquiao’s age would be too great a factor against a prime Davis.
The enduring legacy and future of Manny Pacquiao
Manny Pacquiao’s persistent flirtation with the boxing ring, despite his age and political commitments, reflects a deep-seated connection to the sport that defined much of his life. His eight-division world championship status solidifies his place as one of boxing’s all-time greats, making every potential comeback or rumored fight a global event.
But with each passing year, the questions about his physical capabilities and the motivations behind his potential returns grow louder. The accusations from Paulie Malignaggi and the long list of high-profile fights that never materialized add layers of complexity to his narrative, challenging the perception of his willingness to face all comers.
The current landscape of boxing offers a mix of hungry young champions and established stars, all vying for recognition and lucrative matchups. If Pacquiao does indeed return in 2027, as current reports suggest, the boxing world will be watching closely to see who he ultimately chooses to step into the ring with, and if he can silence the enduring whispers of “ducking.”
His journey from humble beginnings in the Philippines to global superstardom and political office is unparalleled. However, the final chapters of his boxing career remain unwritten, filled with both the promise of another memorable performance and the risk of tarnishing an otherwise impeccable legacy.
The allure of securing a world super flyweight title, or any championship, continues to drive many competitors in the sport.
