Eddie Hearn says Manny Pacquiao is not on December’s Cardiff card. A title changing hands through paperwork and a doctor answering criticism supply two more stories worth looking beyond the headline to understand.

1. Pacquiao proposal stalls as Cordina needs a different plan

Joe Cordina had accepted terms to face Manny Pacquiao, but the other half of that proposed deal remained unsettled. Now Eddie Hearn has told iFL TV: “I know that Pacquiao is not on the card.” Boxing News reported the comments on November 2, changing the outlook for the December 11 Tyson Fury against Anthony Joshua event in Cardiff.

That is a significant setback to the possibility described in our October coverage of Cordina accepting Pacquiao terms. Hearn still wants Cordina in a major fight and identified Abdullah Mason as an opponent Cordina wants. Cordina had already told talkSPORT that preparing for Mason at 135 pounds and Pacquiao at 147 required different fueling decisions. The practical consequence is lost planning time. Hearn’s statement supplies no alternative Pacquiao booking or confirmed return date.

Original video: iFL TV’s Eddie Hearn interview, linked by Boxing News in its November 2 report.

2. Collazo gives up WBO belt, opening a new chapter for Matsumoto

Oscar Collazo’s championship decision arrived just before the purse bid for his ordered defense against Ryusei Matsumoto. The WBO announced November 2 that Collazo had relinquished its minimumweight title and that interim champion Matsumoto would be elevated, subject to the corresponding official ruling. The planned auction was canceled.

Teiken’s November 3 update reproduces a letter from Collazo’s promoter explaining that his team had chosen to pursue championships in multiple divisions. That provides a stated ambition without establishing his next opponent. Collazo’s planned October flyweight challenge had already fallen through because of a rib injury.

There is a Filipino stake in what follows. BoxingScene identifies Vic Saludar and Melvin Jerusalem as Matsumoto’s top two contenders. Neither has been announced as his next challenger. The next meaningful document is a defense order or fight agreement, rather than an assumption that a ranking guarantees the opportunity.

3. Espinoza stoppage debate gets the doctor’s missing evidence

Dr Neil Scott’s explanation changes the evidence available in the Ricardo Blandon stoppage debate. In a November 2 interview with BoxingScene’s Matt Christie, the ringside doctor said Blandon’s brow muscle was torn down to bone, blood vessels were exposed and blood was impairing his vision. Scott warned that another punch risked an arterial bleed.

DAZN commentators Chris Mannix and Malik Scott had argued that Blandon should at least have reached the corner so his cut could be treated. Their objection is understandable as a question about whether a fighter received every chance to continue. The doctor’s account supplies the specific danger behind denying that chance.

We recorded Rafael Espinoza’s third round victory in our November 1 results coverage. The fresh development is Scott’s explanation, and his direct examination deserves substantial weight when judging what television pictures could establish.


Upcoming Fights: Philippine Time

All times below are Philippine time. Broadcast starts are separate from individual ring walks.

Wednesday, November 4, 2026

  • Erson Trinidad vs. Masataka Taniguchi
    Time: 5 PM U-NEXT broadcast start; bout time to be confirmed.
    Stakes: Non title light flyweight bout, eight rounds.
    Location: Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan.

Sunday, November 8, 2026

  • Joshua Buatsi vs. Willy Hutchinson
    Time: 3 AM listed card start; main event ring walk to be confirmed.
    Stakes: Vacant WBC light heavyweight championship.
    Location: AO Arena, Manchester, United Kingdom.
  • Chris Billam-Smith vs. Cheavon Clarke
    Time: 3 AM Sky Sports coverage start; ring walks to be announced.
    Stakes: Non title cruiserweight bout, 10 rounds.
    Location: Copper Box Arena, London, United Kingdom.

Thursday, November 26, 2026

  • Miel Fajardo vs. Masamichi Yabuki
    Time: 2:30 PM scheduled Lemino broadcast start; title bout ring walk to be announced.
    Stakes: Yabuki’s IBF flyweight championship.
    Location: EBARA WAVE Arena Ota, Tokyo, Japan.