Manny Pacquiao is officially throwing his lot in with San Diego. The 47-year-old Filipino legend, the only eight-division world champion in boxing history, will serve as team captain and compete as an active fighter for the San Diego TJ's, an expansion franchise in the Team Boxing League that announced his arrival Wednesday. Pacquiao will also act as a league ambassador during the 2026 season and is slated to join the TJ's ownership group in 2027 while still lacing up the gloves inside the league.
In a press release via PR Newswire, Pacquiao said, "I believe in the vision of TBL and what this league is building for the future of boxing," framing the move as more of a long-term project than a nostalgia tour. TBL CEO Kevin Cassidy called the signing "a defining moment" for the league. According to the release, Pacquiao will appear at select TBL events in 2026 as an ambassador, then formally join the ownership group beginning in 2027 while serving as team captain and competitor for the San Diego TJ's. The league did not specify when or against whom Pacquiao will first step into the ring for the TJ's.
As reported by NBC 7 San Diego, the Team Boxing League, first announced in 2022 and launched with its inaugural season in 2023, is built on a team-based ownership model and is expanding this season to include the San Diego franchise. The league already fields clubs such as LA Elite, NYC Attitude, and Philadelphia Smoke, and the TJ's are listed as an expansion entry for the current campaign.
How TBL Works
The Team Boxing League is designed for fast, stacked action. Events feature 24 three-minute rounds, with each competitor fighting in single-round matchups across multiple weight classes, according to PR Newswire. Men's divisions range from 126 to 205 pounds, while women's classes include 118, 126, and 140 pounds. That structure changes how teams build rosters compared with traditional pro boxing. The team format and a Money Round finish put the spotlight on overall club performance, not just one superstar, as the path to a league title.
What Comes Next For Pacquiao And The TJs
Additional details about Pacquiao's competitive debut with the San Diego TJ's are expected in the coming months, as NBC 7 San Diego notes, with appearances slated around the 2026 schedule. Whether Pacquiao will fight in San Diego proper or at an event tied to the broader San Diego–Tijuana market remains to be announced, a decision that could shape how quickly the new franchise builds a local fan base on both sides of the border.
