The reported Pacquiao vs Stevenson fight has drawn strong criticism from former world champion Paulie Malignaggi, who questioned whether the proposed matchup belongs on a major boxing card.
Shakur Stevenson and Manny Pacquiao are reportedly being lined up to fight in Wales on the same night as the proposed Tyson Fury-Anthony Joshua blockbuster.
However, the status of the Fury-Joshua event remains uncertain after The Ring’s Mike Coppinger reported that the heavyweight contest is in jeopardy.
The reported plan would see Stevenson and Pacquiao share the card if Fury and Joshua eventually meet at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium on December 11.
The proposed matchup has generated considerable attention because of the huge difference in age between the two fighters and the contrasting stages of their careers.
Malignaggi Questions Pacquiao vs Stevenson Fight
Malignaggi has now offered a blunt assessment of the reported contest, arguing that the matchup does not belong on a major boxing card.
Speaking on YouTube, Malignaggi said he was surprised by the reported plans and expressed disappointment with Stevenson and Zuffa Boxing.
“Manny Pacquiao-Shakur Stevenson has no place on this card; [it] has no place in big-time boxing. I am completely befuddled.”
The former world champion continued by questioning the commercial logic behind putting the two fighters together, suggesting that the matchup could attract attention without necessarily producing the competitive contest fans expect.
“[I’m] disappointed in Stevenson; [I’m] disappointed in Zuffa, obviously. These are ‘click bait’ type of fights. These are names that draw attention, so you can get people to watch. Then the fight’s a dud and all these casuals sit there complaining about boxing, telling you why boxing’s dead.”
Malignaggi’s comments represent his own assessment of the proposed matchup rather than an established judgment on how competitive the fight would ultimately be.
Why Malignaggi Compared Pacquiao’s Recent Fight
The former boxer also pointed to Pacquiao’s most recent appearance as part of his argument.
Pacquiao returned to the ring in July 2025 after almost four years away from professional boxing, facing Mario Barrios for the WBC welterweight title.
The Filipino boxing legend came away with a majority draw after a competitive contest, with the result preventing him from reclaiming a world championship during his comeback.
Malignaggi acknowledged that Pacquiao remained competitive against Barrios but argued that Stevenson represents a substantially different challenge.
He described Pacquiao as having been “competitive against the worst world champion I’ve ever seen in my life”, while emphasizing the difference between Barrios and the younger Stevenson.
The comments underline the central issue surrounding the proposed Manny Pacquiao Shakur Stevenson contest: whether Pacquiao’s competitiveness against Barrios can reasonably be used as an indication of what he might produce against a significantly younger and highly regarded opponent.
Stevenson Enters New Zuffa Boxing Era
For Stevenson, the reported Pacquiao fight would come at an important stage of his career.
The American boxer signed with Dana White’s Zuffa Boxing after defeating Teofimo Lopez by unanimous decision in January.
A matchup with Pacquiao would therefore represent his first reported outing since entering the new promotional arrangement.
Stevenson has established himself as one of the most technically accomplished fighters of his generation, while Pacquiao has already built a career that spans multiple decades and weight divisions.
That contrast is one reason the proposed fight has generated attention despite Malignaggi’s criticism.
A victory over Pacquiao would give Stevenson a globally recognizable name on his record, while Pacquiao would have another opportunity to compete on a major stage following his lengthy absence from the ring.
Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua Card Still Uncertain
The proposed Tyson Fury Anthony Joshua event is also central to the discussion because Pacquiao and Stevenson are reportedly being considered for the same night.
Fury and Joshua are expected to meet on December 11 at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium, but reports have indicated that the heavyweight showdown is currently in jeopardy.
The uncertainty surrounding the main event consequently creates uncertainty around the reported Pacquiao-Stevenson matchup.
If Fury-Joshua does not proceed as planned, the circumstances surrounding the proposed undercard would also have to be reconsidered.
The reported plan has nevertheless attracted attention because it would place two major names from different eras on the same event as one of the most anticipated heavyweight matchups in recent British boxing history.
Pacquiao’s Comeback Continues
Pacquiao’s return against Barrios marked his first professional fight in nearly four years.
The former eight-division world champion had not competed since his previous professional appearance before making his comeback against Barrios in 2025.
Despite his age and lengthy inactivity, Pacquiao remained competitive enough to take the contest to a majority decision.
The draw also meant that Barrios retained the WBC welterweight championship rather than losing the belt to the returning Filipino star.
A potential fight with Stevenson would therefore provide Pacquiao with a markedly different challenge from the opponent he faced during his comeback.
Stevenson’s youth, technical style and recent activity would create a different set of questions surrounding Pacquiao’s ability to compete at the highest level.
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Pacquiao vs Stevenson Remains a Reported Fight
For now, the proposed Pacquiao vs Stevenson matchup should be viewed in the context of reports surrounding the event rather than as an officially completed contest.
The reported plan places the fight on a potential Fury-Joshua card in Wales, but uncertainty remains over whether Fury and Joshua will actually meet on December 11.
Malignaggi has made his position clear, describing the reported matchup as a fight that has “no place in big-time boxing” and criticizing what he sees as a reliance on famous names to generate attention.
Whether fans ultimately agree with that assessment will depend on how the proposed fight develops and whether it is formally confirmed.
For Stevenson, the matchup would offer an opportunity to share a ring with one of boxing’s most recognizable figures. For Pacquiao, it would represent another test of his ability to remain competitive against a much younger elite fighter.
The proposed fight therefore remains one of the more intriguing stories surrounding the reported Fury-Joshua event, even as questions continue over whether the heavyweight main event itself will go ahead.R
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