Boxing Legend Manny Pacquiao to Face Ruslan Provodnikov in Las Vegas

Manny Pacquiao, one of the most outstanding figures in the history of world boxing, will once again put on gloves to perform before an audience in Las Vegas. The Filipino, who is currently 47 years old, will face Ruslan Provodnikov on April 18, 2026, a former WBO world champion in the light welterweight division. The Russian, known for his aggressive fighting style and powerful punch, is five years younger than his rival. The announced bout will take place within the welterweight limit and has been contracted for ten rounds as an exhibition match. Pacquiao's return to the ring is not an isolated case but a continuation of his sports comeback. After announcing his retirement in 2021, the athlete focused on his political career, including running in the presidential elections in the Philippines. However, in July of last year, he returned to the ring, fighting Mario Barrios, the current WBC world champion. That match ended with a rare majority draw in boxing. Although Pacquiao initially sought a rematch with Barrios, he ultimately decided to fight Provodnikov, which is expected to attract fans of classic boxing. Manny Pacquiao is the only boxer in history to have won world championship titles in eight different weight divisions, from flyweight to light middleweight, making him a global sports icon. For Ruslan Provodnikov, nicknamed "The Siberian Rocky," the fight with Pacquiao is an opportunity to remind fans in the United States of his presence. The Russian has not fought professionally for several years, but his spectacular style guarantees excitement. Promoters emphasize that despite the exhibition status of the fight, both athletes are taking their preparations extremely seriously. Pacquiao himself, in a brief statement, stressed that every fight is an opportunity for him to represent his homeland. In the boxing community, the debate over the sense of legends returning at such an advanced age remains open, but the commercial potential of the bout in Las Vegas is undeniable. „I always carry the Philippines with me whenever I fight.” — Manny Pacquiao [{"strona1": "Manny Pacquiao", "strona2": "Mario Barrios", "wynik1": 0, "wynik2": 0, "runda": "final"}]