Joe Cordina has agreed terms to fight Manny Pacquiao on the Fury vs Joshua undercard in Cardiff on December 11, 2026, according to his promoter Eddie Hearn. Pacquiao’s side has not confirmed, so the welterweight fight is not official yet.
Hearn told reporters on Thursday, October 22, that Cordina had accepted the deal, including the purse, but was clear the bout was not done. “We’ve agreed terms to fight Manny Pacquiao, but we don’t know if that’s happening,” he said.
Pacquiao vs Cordina at a Glance
| Manny Pacquiao | Joe Cordina | |
|---|---|---|
| Age | 47 | 34 |
| From | Philippines | Cardiff, Wales |
| Record | Eight-division world champion | 19-1, 9 KOs |
| Last fight | Draw with Mario Barrios (July 2025) | Has not fought in over a year |
| Status | Not yet confirmed | Terms agreed |
The fight would take place at welterweight, 147 pounds. That is a big jump for Cordina, a former two-time IBF super-featherweight champion who has spent his career at 130 pounds.
Why the Fight Would Be Special
For Cordina, this is a homecoming. He was born in Cardiff and would face one of the greatest fighters of all time in front of a home crowd at Principality Stadium. It comes days after he was cleared of assault charges, which had put his career on hold.
For Pacquiao, it would be his first fight since July 2025, when he returned from a four-year break and drew with Mario Barrios for the WBC welterweight title. The Ring has reported that he agreed with organisers Sela to appear on the card, with several British opponents put forward.
How It Fits the Fury vs Joshua Undercard
No undercard bout is official yet. Pacquiao vs Cordina joins two heavyweight fights already reported for the night:
- Deontay Wilder vs Jai Opetaia: a deal is agreed but not signed, according to Dan Rafael.
- Joseph Parker vs Frazer Clarke: Clarke says he has accepted. Organisers have not confirmed it.
If all three land, Cardiff would have one of the deepest stadium cards British boxing has staged.
What Happens Next
Pacquiao’s team still needs to agree terms, and the promoters must make the fight official. We will move it to Confirmed on our Fury vs Joshua undercard page as soon as that happens.
Planning to watch the whole card? See how to watch Fury vs Joshua on Netflix.
