Manny Pacquiao returns to the ring for the primary time in nearly 4 years July 19 to problem Mario Barrios for the WBC welterweight title. The battle was formally introduced Saturday in Las Vegas.
Pacquiao, 46, is boxing’s solely eight-division champion. He final fought in August 2021, when he suffered a loss by unanimous choice to Yordenis Ugas at T-Cell Area in Las Vegas.
Pacquiao (62-8-2, 39 KOs) has gained titles from flyweight (112 kilos) to junior middleweight (154 kilos) over an expert profession that began in January 1995. On June 8, he will likely be inducted into the Worldwide Boxing Corridor of Fame. Since Pacquiao turned an expert in January 1995, solely 5 males’s fighters have fought after being inducted into the IBHOF.
Holly Holm, who entered the IBHOF in 2022, would be the first lady to perform the feat when she fights Yolanda Vega on June 28, in response to ESPN Analysis.
If Pacquiao beats Barrios, he’ll turn out to be the primary fighter to win a world title as a Corridor of Famer.
“I all the time convey surprises to the followers,” Pacquiao stated at a information convention in Las Vegas on Saturday. “I am not taking this calmly. I am pushing myself to the restrict getting ready for this battle.”
With every thing he has achieved in his profession, why is Pacquiao coming again? Why is he getting a title shot after being out for a few years? And what possibilities does he have in opposition to a fighter 16 years youthful?
Andreas Hale solutions these questions and extra.
Why is Manny Pacquiao coming again at age 46?
He hinted at his reasoning Saturday, saying he nonetheless has a love for the game.
“I am coming again as a result of it is my ardour,” Pacquiao stated. “I have been gone for 4 years however I all the time take into consideration boxing. I actually missed it.”
His first put up on social media confirming the battle on Could 21 additionally talked about the historical past hooked up to the bout. “I am again,” he wrote, and concluded the put up with “Let’s make historical past!” Pacquiao will try to turn out to be the oldest fighter to win the welterweight championship, breaking the document he set in 2019 when he defeated Keith Thurman for the WBA belt at age 40.
How is Pacquiao getting a title shot in his return battle?
Though Pacquiao hasn’t gained a battle in almost six years, the WBC’s guidelines state a former champion can request a title battle after popping out of retirement. After saying his return, Pacquiao was the No. 5-ranked welterweight by the WBC. He’s ranked behind Devin Haney, Souleymane Cissokho, Conor Benn and Egidijus Kavaliauskas.
How did Pacquiao look the final time we noticed him within the ring?
Like an older and slower model of Pacquiao. In opposition to Ugas in 2021, Pacquiao lacked the footwork and explosiveness that made him boxing’s first and solely eight-division world champion. His actions had been predictable, and Ugas, a technically sound boxer from Cuba, stored the Filipino sensation away along with his jab and timed his entrances with a looping proper hand. It was a aggressive encounter, however Ugas was the clear winner. In response to CompuBox, Pacquiao landed solely 130 of 815 punches (19%). It was simply Pacquiao’s most abysmal efficiency since dropping to Floyd Mayweather of their 2015 blockbuster. In his previous six fights, from November 2016 to August 2021, Pacquiao threw 10 fewer punches and landed seven fewer punches per spherical in contrast along with his prime years from December 2008 to April 2016. It is exhausting to suppose he’ll be significantly better 4 years after his final battle.
Who’s Mario Barrios?
Barrios, who’s a tall, lanky 30-year-old preventing out of San Antonio, is the WBC welterweight champion. At 6 toes tall, he is a nightmare for the 147-pound division due to his vital top benefit over a majority of the burden class. He is a high-volume puncher who usually negates his top and 71-inch attain by opting to brawl on the within.
However his recipe has been profitable in his profession. After turning professional in 2013, Barrios went 26-0 earlier than being stopped by Gervonta Davis in 2021 in a junior welterweight bout. Barrios misplaced his subsequent battle to former welterweight champion Thurman in 2022 however has gone unbeaten in his previous 4 fights, together with a unanimous choice victory in opposition to the final man to beat Pacquiao, Ugas, in 2023 for the vacant WBC interim title.
In his most up-to-date battle in November, Barrios battled Abel Ramos to a cut up draw on the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson undercard.
“Each battle and primary occasion I’ve been in has ready me for Manny Pacquiao,” Barrios stated Saturday. “That is my second. I am defending my title in opposition to a legend.”
How does this influence Pacquiao’s IBHOF induction?
It would not. Pacquiao was voted into the Worldwide Boxing Corridor of Fame in December, nicely earlier than he deliberate to retire. Pacquiao will headline this yr’s class June 8, alongside Vinny Paz, Michael Nunn and others.
Manner too early prediction
Pacquiao (+300 per ESPN BET) appeared gradual and not sure when he misplaced to Ugas 4 years in the past. The boxing legend will want the explosiveness and velocity he had earlier in his profession to beat Barrios’ bodily benefits. Barrios (-400 favourite) will use his size and attain to maintain his opponent on the skin and outwork Pacquiao to retain his title by choice.
