Boxing legend Manny Pacquiao to face Ruslan Provodnikov in April

Eight-division ⁠world champion Pacquiao will face former junior welterweight world ⁠champion ⁠Provodnikov on April 18.Published On 18 Feb 2026Manny Pacquiao ‌has confirmed he will face former junior welterweight world ⁠champion Ruslan ⁠Provodnikov in Las Vegas on April 18, marking his second outing since returning from a ⁠four-year retirement last year.The 47-year-old last fought in July, when he ended a long hiatus with ⁠a majority draw against WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Ronda Rousey, Gina Carano end MMA retirements to fight in Maylist 2 of 3‘I didn’t set out to break records’: Pakistan’s first female MMA fighterlist 3 of 3Boxer Khelif says she is open to genetic testing by IOC for 2028 Olympicsend of list“I carry the Philippines with me every time I fight. The support from my country and from fans around the world ‌continues to inspire me,” Pacquiao said in a statement issued by the promoters of the fight on Wednesday.The bout will be at the Thomas & Mack Center, which hosted a number of notable fights in the 1990s before the construction of MGM Grand Garden Arena and then T-Mobile Arena that became the primary homes for Las Vegas’ top matches.“Returning to Las Vegas means so much to me, and I’m excited to work with a team focused on creating a world-class experience for the ⁠fans. I’m coming back to give ⁠them a great fight – and I’m ready.”Pacquiao initially retired in 2021 before resuming his career last year. Away from the ring, he ⁠served in the Philippine Senate from 2016 to 2022 and mounted an ⁠unsuccessful presidential bid in 2022.The eight-division ⁠world champion – the first boxer to achieve that feat – also became the oldest welterweight world champion at age 40 in 2019. His professional ‌record stands at 62 wins, eight losses and three draws from 73 fights.He was elected to the ‌International ‌Boxing Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2025.