Manny Pacquiao’s Return to the Ring
Manny Pacquiao, the legendary Filipino boxer, is gearing up for his remarkable return to the ring after a four-year hiatus, set to take place on July 19. At the age of 46, he will square off against Mario Barrios, 30, in a bid for the WBC welterweight title, with a record-breaking goal of becoming the oldest boxer to hold a world championship in this division.
Historic Ambitions
Pacquiao already etched his name in the record books as the division’s oldest champion at 40, following his victory over Keith Thurman in 2019. Since then, he fought last in 2021, suffering a defeat against Yordenis Ugas, and has stayed away from professional bouts, though he participated in an exhibition match against kickboxer Rukiya Anpo last summer.
“I always like creating history, it feels good,”
In an interview with ESPN, Pacquiao expressed his enthusiasm for making history. He revealed that upon resuming his training, he was surprised to rediscover both his passion for the sport and his ability to compete at a high level.
“I went to my doctor, and everything was perfect. My medical exams returned great results. I feel good, and I’m ready to do it again,”
he added. Reflecting on his previous match with Ugas, he noted issues with his training, stating that he struggled with cramping and movement during the bout.
Training and Future Prospects
However, with a return to his former coach, Freddie Roach, Pacquiao is confident he’ll display his classic fighting style in this upcoming match. When asked about the possibility of future fights beyond the Barrios matchup, Pacquiao remained non-committal, taking it one fight at a time.
Currently, he holds a professional record of 62 wins, 8 losses, and 2 draws, with 39 victories coming by knockout, while Barrios comes in with a record of 29 wins, 2 losses, and 1 draw with 18 knockouts.
WBC Regulations and Legacy
In accordance with WBC regulations, titleholders must defend their belts against Qualified Challengers, which includes former champions. This enables Pacquiao’s opportunity against Barrios, as he has recently regained his spot in the WBC rankings at number five.
Beyond his boxing achievements, Pacquiao is regarded as one of the greatest boxers in history, being the only athlete to secure world titles across eight different weight classes. His contributions extend beyond the ring; he has served as a senator in the Philippines from 2016 until 2022 and recently made unsuccessful bids for the presidency and another senatorial position last month.
