Manny Pacquiao is making his return to the boxing ring on July 19, nearly four years after his last fight. His comeback bout will see him challenge Mario Barrios for the WBC welterweight championship. The fight`s official announcement took place on Saturday in Las Vegas.
Pacquiao, now 46 years old, holds the unique distinction of being boxing`s only eight-division world champion. His most recent fight was in August 2021, where he suffered a unanimous decision loss to Yordenis Ugas at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Throughout a professional career that began in January 1995, Pacquiao (with a record of 62-8-2, 39 KOs) has captured titles across weight classes ranging from flyweight (112 pounds) to junior middleweight (154 pounds). He is set to be inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame on June 8. Since Pacquiao turned professional, only five male fighters have competed after being enshrined in the IBHOF.
According to ESPN Research, Holly Holm, inducted into the IBHOF in 2022, will become the first woman to achieve this when she faces Yolanda Vega on June 28.
Should Pacquiao defeat Barrios, he would make history as the first fighter to claim a world title after being inducted into the Hall of Fame.
“I always bring surprises to the fans,” Pacquiao commented at a press conference in Las Vegas on Saturday. “I`m not taking this lightly. I`m pushing myself to the limit preparing for this fight.”
Given his storied career and numerous accomplishments, questions arise: Why is Manny Pacquiao coming back now? How is he receiving a title opportunity after such a lengthy layoff? And what are his prospects against an opponent 16 years his junior?
Let`s explore these questions.
Why is Manny Pacquiao coming back at age 46?
Pacquiao hinted at his motivations on Saturday, stating his enduring love for the sport.
“I`m coming back because it`s my passion,” Pacquiao said. “I`ve been gone for four years but I always think about boxing. I really missed it.”
His initial social media post on May 21, confirming the fight, also highlighted the historical significance of the bout. “I`m back,” he wrote, concluding with “Let`s make history!” Pacquiao aims to surpass his own record, set in 2019 when he defeated Keith Thurman for the WBA belt at age 40, by becoming the oldest fighter to win the welterweight championship.
How is Pacquiao getting a title shot in his return fight?
Despite not having won a fight in nearly six years, the WBC`s regulations permit a former champion returning from retirement to request a title challenge. Following his announcement to return, Pacquiao was ranked No. 5 in the WBC`s welterweight rankings. He is ranked behind Devin Haney, Souleymane Cissokho, Conor Benn, and Egidijus Kavaliauskas.
How did Pacquiao look the last time we saw him in the ring?
He appeared as an older, less explosive version of himself. Against Ugas in 2021, Pacquiao lacked the dynamic footwork and bursts of speed that defined his prime as the first and only eight-division world champion. His movements were predictable, allowing Ugas, a skilled Cuban boxer, to control distance with his jab and counter effectively with a looping right hand. Although competitive, Ugas was clearly the superior fighter that night. According to punch statistics, Pacquiao landed just 130 out of 815 punches (19%). This was arguably Pacquiao`s least effective performance since his 2015 bout against Floyd Mayweather. In his last six fights leading up to August 2021, Pacquiao threw approximately 10 fewer punches and landed seven fewer punches per round compared to his peak years between 2008 and 2016. It seems unlikely he would show significant improvement four years after that last fight.
Who is Mario Barrios?
Mario Barrios is the current WBC welterweight champion. The 30-year-old from San Antonio possesses a tall, lanky build for the division, standing at 6 feet with a 71-inch reach, presenting a challenging physical presence. He is known as a high-volume puncher, though he sometimes compromises his reach advantage by choosing to engage in inside fighting.
Nonetheless, this approach has served him well throughout his career. After turning pro in 2013, Barrios compiled a 26-0 record before suffering his first defeat to Gervonta Davis in a junior welterweight bout in 2021. He lost his subsequent fight to former welterweight champion Thurman in 2022 but has since gone unbeaten in four fights. This includes a unanimous decision victory over Yordenis Ugas, the man who last defeated Pacquiao, in 2023 for the vacant WBC interim title.
In his most recent appearance in November, Barrios fought to a split draw against Abel Ramos on the undercard of the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson event.
“Every fight and main event I have been in has prepared me for Manny Pacquiao,” Barrios stated on Saturday. “This is my moment. I`m defending my title against a legend.”
How does this impact Pacquiao`s IBHOF induction?
It does not. Pacquiao was voted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in December, well before he finalized plans for this return. He will be the headliner of this year`s induction class on June 8, alongside Vinny Paz, Michael Nunn, and others.
Way too early prediction
Pacquiao (listed at +300 odds) appeared slow and hesitant in his loss to Ugas four years ago. The boxing icon will need to recapture the speed and explosiveness of his earlier years to overcome Barrios` physical attributes. Barrios (listed as a -400 favorite) is expected to utilize his length and reach to maintain distance and outwork Pacquiao, likely retaining his title via decision.
Ellis Thorne 
Percy Harlow