Malignaggi Blasts Pacquiao for Ducking the Fight

Manny Pacquiao Accused Of Ducking Two Weight World Champion.

Manny Pacquiao is on the comeback trail once more but has been accused of dodging a former two-weight world champion.

The accusation comes from Paulie Malignaggi, a former two-division world champion who has been calling out the Filipino legend.

Malignaggi made the claim during an appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show.

Pacquiao is 47 years old and has not fought since July 2025.

In that fight, he secured a draw with WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios.

Before that, he had been out of the ring since August 2021.

That was when he lost a WBA welterweight contest to Yordenis Ugás.

Pacquiao is a veteran of 73 professional fights with eight losses on his record.

He is a former eight-weight world champion who is finding it hard to leave the sport behind.

Earlier this year, Pacquiao had been linked to several potential opponents.

Those names included Shakur Stevenson, Paddy Donovan, and Joe Cordina.

There was also talk of a fight on the undercard of Anthony Joshua versus Tyson Fury in December.

That undercard appearance has now been confirmed as not happening.

Malignaggi told Helwani that he is ready and willing to fight Pacquiao.

But according to Malignaggi, the Filipino fighter has so far swerved the possibility.

“Pacquiao comes back and he’s looking to fight anybody but me right now,” Malignaggi said.

“This guy’s 100 years old. He’s looking to fight anybody but me.

“Now he’s fighting a guy 20 pounds smaller than him just so he can fight.

“I put my name out there. I’ve been active. He doesn’t even mention my name.

“He knows what I said about him, and he knows I’m right.

“They don’t want that spewed out in that promotion, so they don’t bring it up.”

Malignaggi’s comments suggest there is history between the two fighters.

He implied that Pacquiao’s camp is avoiding any promotion that might bring up past remarks.

Malignaggi is a former two-weight world champion who won titles at super-lightweight and welterweight.

He has been active in recent years, including a bare-knuckle boxing career.

Malignaggi is scheduled to fight former WBC welterweight champion Victor Ortiz in a bare-knuckle match on Saturday, December 5.

As for Pacquiao, it remains unclear who his next opponent will be.

It is now most likely that Pacquiao, if he does return, will do so in 2027.

He will turn 48 in mid-December.

Other fighters have also been linked to Pacquiao in recent weeks.

Conor Benn hinted at a potential fight with the boxing legend early next year.

Benn told Sky Sports that a fight with Pacquiao could happen ‘no problem.’

Joe Cordina also said a fight with Pacquiao would be ‘an honour.’

But for now, the only confirmed development is that Pacquiao will not appear on the Fury-Joshua undercard.

Malignaggi’s accusation adds a new layer of drama to Pacquiao’s comeback plans.

The question remains whether Pacquiao will respond to the claim.

Neither Pacquiao nor his representatives have commented publicly on Malignaggi’s allegations.

Boxing fans are now watching to see if the accusation leads to any real fight negotiations.