Boxing Legend Manny Pacquiao to Stage Exhibition Fight in Las Vegas in April

Manny Pacquiao, one of the brightest figures in the history of professional boxing, has confirmed the date of his next appearance. On April 18, 2026 in Las Vegas, the Filipino will face former WBO world champion Ruslan Provodnikov. Although the clash is an exhibition, it is generating immense interest due to the status of both fighters and Pacquiao's age of 47 years. The fight, contracted for ten rounds, will be held at the Thomas & Mack Center. Organizers emphasize that the athletes should have met in the ring much earlier, when both were at the peak of their form. Manny Pacquiao is the only boxer in history to have won world titles in eight different weight classes, from flyweight to light middleweight, making him an icon of sport and politics in the Philippines.For the popular "Pacman," this will be his second outing to the ring after his announced return from a four-year retirement. Fans last saw him in action in July of last year, when he fought to a draw in a tough battle with WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios. His Russian opponent, Ruslan Provodnikov, nicknamed the "Siberian Rocky," is five years younger than the Filipino and is known for his extremely aggressive fighting style and powerful punch, promising an exciting spectacle despite the exhibition status of the event. „Every time I fight, I carry the entire Philippines with me. I still want to give joy to my fans all over the world.” — Manny PacquiaoThe decision for such an aged fighter to return evokes mixed feelings in the boxing community. Experts point to health risks, but Pacquiao's marketing potential remains gigantic. The Filipino, who is also an active politician in his country, proves that discipline and rigorous training allow him to compete with rivals a generation younger. The upcoming gala in the gambling capital is set to be a celebration of boxing, combining nostalgia for the glory days of the welterweight division with the modern format of commercial exhibition fights. 8 — weight classes in which Pacquiao was champion[{"side1": "Manny Pacquiao", "side2": "Mario Barrios", "result1": 0, "result2": 0, "round": "Draw"}]