THE eight-division world champion Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao is once again out to defy Father Time. Many fans have considered Pacman to be a shadow of his former self, but he still surprises everyone in the ring despite being considered too old. 

Now, the 47-year-old legend is set to face the former World Boxing Organization (WBO) junior welterweight champion Ruslan Provodnikov in a 10-round exhibition. 

After earning an unexpected shot at Mario Barrios’ World Boxing Council (WBC) welterweight title, Pacquiao once again impressed the boxing world by ending it with a draw. He went toe-to-toe with the reigning champion Mario Barrios in his prime and lasted all 12 rounds. Regardless of the decision, it proved one thing: even at his age, Pacman still has plenty left in the tank.

Pacquiao now faces the 42-year-old retired fighter Ruslan, also known as the "Siberian Rocky," who held the junior welterweight title from 2013 to 2014. Known for his relentless pressure and knockout power, Provodnikov has shared the ring with top fighters like Timothy Bradley, a Hall of Famer and former champion, considered one of the top welterweight fighters in the early 2010s. 

Siberian Rocky’s last professional fight was last April 18, 2015 when he lost to Lucas Matthysse, at the Turning Stone Resort & Casino in Verona, New York. It was a competitive bout, but he has not returned to professional boxing since.

Pacquiao and Provodnikov are no strangers to each other. Back in 2015, Provodnikov joined Pacquiao’s training camp as a sparring partner during his preparation for his fight against Bradley.

Although the bout between the Fighting Pride of the Philippines and the Siberian Rocky is just an exhibition match, it is still highly anticipated, as many fans still want to witness the old flashes of the Filipino Legend. Despite his age and his opponent being five years younger, Manny still has the advantage, as his last fight was just recently compared to Ruslan's, who held his last bout almost a decade ago. 

The anticipated match between both fighters was supposed to be set for April 18 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas. But the bout was postponed 48 hours before fight night, due to reasons of organizational dysfunction and lack of official updates. As of press time, there is no official announcement from the organizer of the event on when it will be resumed, which leaves fans wondering with little certainty.

An exhibition match will not affect either fighter’s record, but it can still deliver an entertaining contest often resembling a high-level sparring session. As two veteran fighters of a past era, bring nostalgia and experience into the ring. Regardless of the outcome, the boxing world is eager to watch.