Pacquiao to face Provodnikov in exhibition in April

Veteran Manny Pacquiao will face former light-welterweight world champion Ruslan Provodnikov in an exhibition on 18 April.

Pacquiao, 47, ended a four-year stint of retirement in July when losing by majority draw against WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios.

The eight-weight world champion called for a rematch after that defeat but has since switched his direction of travel and will compete in an exhibition bout.

Pacquiao and Provodnikov, who retired in 2016, will fight in a 10-round exhibition at Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas.

“I carry the Philippines with me every time I fight,” Pacquiao said.

“The support from my country and from fans around the world continues to inspire me. I’m coming back to give them a great fight – and I’m ready.”

Pacquiao has a professional record of 62 wins, eight losses and three draws and is unbeaten across three previous exhibitions – winning two and drawing one.

In July – before facing Barrios after overturning his decision to retire – Pacquiao told BBC Sport that he intended to make an extended return to boxing.

The Filipino was inducted into the boxing Hall of Fame in 2025.