Eight division Boxing Hall of Fame legend Manny Pacquiao’s improbable return to active competition continues, this time with a San Diego connection.
This week, Manny Pacquiao Promotions announced a new agreement with the Team Boxing League exploring the star’s involvement with the league as an owner, ambassador – and an active competitor in future seasons.
Beginning in 2027, Pacquiao and MPP will join the ownership group of the new San Diego TJ’s expansion franchise in this young league, which launched in 2023. Pacquiao is expected to join the new team as its captain and compete in future seasons under its unusual team format.
Pacquiao, the only boxer in history to win championships in eight divisions, retired from boxing in 2022 and was elected to the International Boxing Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2025.
Pacquiao returns, though already in Hall of Fame
Shortly after his induction ceremony, he astonished fans around the world by returning to boxing. He challenged current WBC World Super Welterweight champion Mario Barrios of San Antonio, fighting to a draw on July 19, 2025 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. Observers believe Pacquiao did enough to win the fight.
Pacquiao, now 47, is anticipated to continue his career with at least two more championship level fights, then compete as part of the new San Diego TBL franchise until he turns 50 years old.
“This agreement reflects Manny’s interest in the evolution of team-based boxing and the innovative direction TBL is taking the sport,” said Jas Mathur, CEO of Manny Pacquiao Promotions. “We view this as a meaningful step forward and look forward to expanding on this relationship as additional details are finalized.”
Why would Pacquiao have interest in this fledgling boxing league, and specifically the San Diego team?
Demographics, for one. The San Diego metro area is home to the fifth largest Filipino population in the United States, with more than 200,000 people. San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria is the first Filipino-American mayor of a major American city.
And he has support here, as shown in a painting created by Ground Floor Murals artists Paul Jiménez and Signe Ditona in September 2021. The mural, along the side of San Diego’s famed House of Boxing training gym, honors Pacquiao and Mexican star Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez.
Unusual team format
The format of the league is ideal for Pacquiao as he continues to fight years after most other champions retire.
The Team Boxing League (originally known as Team Combat League) was established with eight original teams in March 2023 and will begin its fourth season with 12 teams. Other clubs are in Los Angeles, Phoenix and Las Vegas.
The team format includes male and female team members who fight single three-minute rounds, with 24 rounds making up the match. Competitors face opponents in their weight classes, nine for men and three for women.
TCL uses a point system with the same judges licensed by state athletic commissions for professional boxing competitions. At the end of the 24 individually scored rounds, the sums are added to determine the winner.
By fighting one or two single three-minute rounds in a competition, Pacquiao can remain active as a professional boxer without enduring 12 full rounds of punishment in a traditional boxing match.
In a statement, Team Boxing League representatives said they believe the involvement of Manny Pacquiao and his promotions company reflect the rising interest among elite athletes in innovative models in professional boxing.
