LAS VEGAS — The final time Manny Pacquiao was in a boxing ring, he regarded each little bit of 42 years outdated as he was outpointed by Yordenis Ugas in 2021.
Now 46, he’ll return to the ring in the hunt for historical past when he challenges Mario Barrios for the WBC welterweight title on July 19 on the MGM Grand Backyard Enviornment. It will likely be a tall activity, but it surely’s precisely why Pacquiao has determined to return again.
Ought to Pacquiao win, he would break two information: the primary fighter inducted into the Worldwide Boxing Corridor of Fame to win a world title and the oldest fighter to change into welterweight champion, breaking the report he set when he defeated Keith Thurman for the WBA title at age 40.
“I like making historical past,” Pacquiao (62-8-2, 39 KOs) instructed ESPN with a big smile following Saturday’s information convention formally saying his battle with Barrios. “It is good.”
For the previous 4 years, between a failed presidential marketing campaign in 2022 and a run as a senator within the Philippines, Pacquiao has thought-about making a comeback. However the time wasn’t proper. He competed in two exhibition fights in 2022 and 2024 however nonetheless did not anticipate the urge to get again within the ring.
Nevertheless, after inserting 18th within the 2025 Philippine Senatorial election, he determined to show his consideration again to the game that made him a famous person. And when the chance to leap proper again right into a title battle introduced itself, as a result of WBC guidelines {that a} retired former champion can ask for a world title battle, all methods have been a go for boxing’s first and solely eight-division world champion to make his return.
“I all the time keep in form, however as soon as I began critically understanding once more, I noticed that I nonetheless had that zeal and skill in me,” he instructed ESPN. “I went to my physician and every thing was good. My medicals got here again nice. I really feel good, and I am able to do it once more.”
Pacquiao regarded sluggish within the battle with Ugas. He lacked the explosiveness that made him a fan favourite and the footwork to throw punches from distinctive and unpredictable angles. However Pacquiao refused to chalk that as much as outdated age. As an alternative, he mentioned it was resulting from an error he made in coaching camp.
“I educated flawed for that battle,” he instructed ESPN. “My legs started cramping, and I could not transfer. He was a really gradual opponent, and I could not consider that I could not transfer my ft or my legs. However for this camp, I am again with my longtime coach, Freddie Roach. The outdated Manny can be again.”
Ought to Pacquiao pull off the upset, he’ll add to an already legendary profession. However will that be sufficient for him to name it quits or does he have a couple of extra battle left in him?
“It is onerous to say proper now,” Pacquiao mentioned. “It is one battle at a time. As soon as I get by this, we are able to discuss in regards to the subsequent battle.”
