FILE — Manny Pacquiao celebrates his split-decision victory over Keith Thurman in their WBA welterweight title fight at MGM Grand Garden Arena on July 20, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Ethan Miller/Getty Images/AFP
MANILA, Philippines — Manny Pacquiao could be reinstated as the WBA (Super) welterweight champion soon.
WBA president Gilberto Mendoza said there’s a great chance Pacquiao will regain his status ahead of his showdown with IBF and WBC champion Errol Spence.
“Initially, the plan was for Ugas to fight Pacquiao,” Mendoza told ThaBoxingVoice as posted on BoxingScene.com. “But now, the Spence fight was announced. [MP Promotions head] Sean Gibbons, who represents Manny, they’ve written a letter to be placed back in [as WBA (Super) champion].”
“We’re working on it. There’s a high probability. It has to be run through a championship committee and voted before being taken to the president.”
Pacquiao beat Keith Thurman back in July 2019 to win the WBA (Super) crown, but he was relegated as the association’s “champion in recess” in January due to inactivity largely attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The 42-year-old Pacquiao and Spence clash on Aug. 21 in Las Vegas.