The World Boxing Association (WBA) designated eight world-title holder Manny Pacquiao as champion in recess” after failing to defend his welterweight belt since winning it in July, 2019.
Pacquiao won the title with a split decision win over American Keith Thurman in 2019, but he has not fought since, forcing the WBA to designate him as “champion in recess.”
What does being champion in recess mean for Pacquiao?
Which way back to boxing! In theory, a champion in recess – if he or she wishes to – will be the first in line to fight the new titleholder.
For example, the WBA also declared regular heavyweight titlist Mahmoud Charr as champion in recess after 38 months without defending his belt.
Charr, though can still reclaim his title by fighting Trevor Bryan, who recently stopped challenger Bermane Stiverne for the vacant heavyweight belt, within a period of 180 days.
In the case of Pacquiao, he can battle Cuban Yordenis Ugas, who got promoted by the WBA from regular to super welterweight champion.
However, Ugas seems bound for a unification bout against American Errol Spence, who holds the International Boxing Federation and World Boxing Council welterweight belts.
Also, the 42-year-old Pacquiao is likely to pursue a blockbuster bout.
Before his relegation, Pacquiao was included in a fight plans against Spence, WBO welterweight champion, Ryan Garcia and the bound to fail fight against UFC ace Connor MaGregor.
Filipino boxing legend Manny Pacquiao congratulated Dustin Poirier for his sensational win over Irish MMA superstar Conor McGregor — a result that will likely have an impact on the planned fight between the “Pacman” and “Notorious.”
Poirier avenged a 2014 loss to McGregor by stopping the Irishman in the second round of their fight in the main event of UFC 257 at the Fight Island in Abu Dhabi.#