Manny Pacquiao has confirmed his return to boxing with a WBC welterweight world title fight against Mario Barrios in Las Vegas.
Pacquiao bowed out of boxing almost four years ago after a glory-laden career comprising of 72 professional fights, where he became world champion in eight divisions from flyweight to super welterweight.
The 46-year-old is set to return to the ring, announcing on social media on Wednesday that he will come out of retirement to face Barrios at the MGM Grand in just under two months’ time – following his involvement in the Filipino elections.
“I’m back,” Pacquiao wrote. “On July 19, I return to the ring to face WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
“Let’s make history!”
Pacquiao, who has won 62 of his 72 contests, with 39 of those victories coming via knock-outs, lost his WBA title in a unanimous decision loss to Yordenis Ugas last time out.
Since then, the Filipino icon has focused largely on his political career – where he served as a senator in his native Phillippines between 2016 to 2022 before making a failed bid for the presidency – before announcing defeat in his latest bid last week.
Barrios – meanwhile – retained the WBC welterweight belt with a draw against Abel Ramos last November in Arlington, Texas, and the 30-year-old is considered to be a very dangerous opponent for ‘PacMan’.
The same opponent who defeated Pacquiao in his previous fight, Ugas, was beaten decisively by Barrios when he won the WBC interim belt in 2023.
Despite being almost four years older now, Pacquiao was handed a fifth-place ranking by the WBC, allowing him to challenge Barrios – who has won 29 of his 32 contests – for the belt.
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Amir Khan, who was linked to a fight with Pacquiao during his career, spoke to Sky Sports earlier this month about his concerns over his choice of opponent.
Khan knows Barrios well, given that the pair were former sparring partners, and he hopes the legendary Southpaw doesn’t regret the decision.
“It’s a fantastic fight for Mario, he needs that big fight. He’ll be paid well and fighting a legend like Manny Pacquiao, who would say no to that?” Khan said.
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“Mario deserves this fight because every fighter wants that big payday. It will be fantastic for him.
“He’s a very good boxer,” Khan added. “I don’t know how much Manny’s got left in him. If they were in their prime, in their peak, then I’d say all day Manny Pacquiao. But this could be a tricky fight for Pacquiao.”
