PBC has a loaded card in the works for late January, with Manny Pacquiao vs. Rolando ‘Rolly’ Romero headlining. The event still isn’t official.
For the 46-year-old Pacquiao (62-8-3, 39 KOs) to challenge WBA welterweight champion Rolly Romero (17-2, 13 KOs), PBC reportedly must get an exception due to the WBA having ordered Rolly to defend against his mandatory Shakhram Giyasov. If they can’t get an exception, the fight between Pacquiao and Romero won’t happen/
- Manny Pacquiao vs. Rolando “Rolly” Romero
- Keith Thurman vs. Sebastian Fundora
- Gary Antuanne Russell vs. Andy Hiraoka
- Carlos Adames vs. Meirzhan Nursultanov
The Pacquiao-Romero and Fundora vs. Thurman fights have been mentioned for weeks. The other two fights were revealed as potential by Dan on X. Those would be good fights as well for the undercard.
Thurman (31-1, 23 KOs) will be fighting for a world title for the first time since 2019. The 37-year-old has done precious little to deserve a world title shot against Fundora.
Thurman has fought just once in three years, beating Brock Jarvis by a third-round knockout on March 12, 2025. Keith will be getting a world title shot against Fundora ahead of WBC interim champion Vergil Ortiz Jr., who has been waiting for his opportunity.
WBA light welterweight champion Gary Antuanne Russell (18-1, 17 KOs) will be making his first defense of his title against #1 contender Andy Hiraoka (24-0, 19 KOs). It’s a good fight, and will show whether Russell has the goods to defeat a big puncher.
WBC middleweight champion Carlos Adames (24-1-1, 18 KOs) has a difficult defense against #1 contender Meirzhan Nursultanov (20-0, 11 KOs). If Adames loses this fight, he can say goodbye to any chance of getting a fight against Terence Crawford if he moves down to 160.
The Kazakhstan native Nursultanov was 26-4 in the amateurs and was a solid fighter. His only problem is his lack of power.