Manny Pacquiao misplaced his remaining alternative to struggle for a world title this yr because the WBA ordered Eimantas Stanionis to defend his welterweight crown.
The Filipino boxing legend goals for a final hoorah within the boxing ring earlier than strolling away for good, initially focusing on WBC champion Mario Barrios. Nonetheless, Barrios took a struggle on the November 15 Mike Tyson undercard regardless of holding talks with Pacquiao. This determination left the “Pac-Man” with solely Jaron Ennis [IBF] and Eimantas Stanionis left to focus on.
Stanionis, who advised WBN he was open to dealing with Pacquiao, is now off the menu following the WBA order. Ennis can also be unlikely to be accessible because of the prospect of an IBF exception being dominated out. Pacquiao has nowhere to go relating to a title shot except he strikes as much as 154 kilos.
The WBA confirmed that Stanionis is not going to be allowed to look elsewhere for an opponent as he’s overdue for his necessary protection.
“The World Boxing Affiliation (WBA) Championships Committee has ordered the necessary bout between Lithuanian welterweight world champion Eimantas Stanionis and official challenger Shakhram Giyasov. The communication was formally despatched to each events on September 19, and so they got 30 days to barter the struggle, which might finish on October 19.
“The championship rule C.10 states {that a} champion should defend the title towards the following accessible contender inside 9 months from the date he received the title. Stanionis received it on April 15, 2022, so the time restrict for his subsequent necessary struggle expired on January 14, 2023, and he should face Giyasov.
“Then again, WBA Rule C.13 – Combating Limitations – states that the champion can’t struggle a boxer who isn’t the official challenger inside sixty days after the expiration of the necessary protection interval.
“If the groups of each boxers can’t attain an settlement throughout the given interval or if both social gathering refuses to barter, the WBA could open the struggle to a handbag bid beneath its guidelines and rules. The purse cut up can be 75% for the champion and 25% for the challenger,” they added.
With all of the 147-pound championships off the desk, it could possibly be again to the exhibition circuit for Manny Pacquiao, with loads of choices.
Floyd Mayweather, who Pacquiao confirmed had agreed to a struggle for December 2024 when showing at RIZIN final yr, could possibly be the primary port of name. Each males nonetheless maintain ties to RIZIN and will reignite talks if Pacquiao has exhausted all his skilled avenues.
Learn all articles and unique interviews by Phil Jay. Be taught extra concerning the writer, skilled boxing author, and World Boxing Information Editor since 2010. Comply with on Twitter @PhilJWBN.
