Manny Pacquiao, Teofimo Lopez and boxing's absurd reality of a 47-year-old kingmaker

Teofimo Lopez won a hard-fought majority decision victory this weekend, becoming a three-division champion despite suffering a nasty cut and a bruising fifth round. The fight took place at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, though the venue was notably sparsely populated, highlighting concerns about boxing's popularity in 2026. The article also draws attention to the outsized influence of 47-year-old Manny Pacquiao on the sport's current landscape.