Manny Pacquiao to fight Mario Barrios for WBC title in boxing comeback
Pacquiao confirms return from retirement at 46 to challenge Mario Barrios for WBC welterweight belt in Las Vegas.
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| Philippine boxing legend Manny Pacquiao warms up during a training session at a gym in central Tokyo on July 25, 2024. Photo by Richard A. Brooks/AFP |
By Widya Putri and Adila Ghina
Manny Pacquiao to fight Mario Barrios in what will be a sensational return to the boxing ring, marking the Filipino icon’s comeback at the age of 46. The former multi-division world champion confirmed that he will step out of retirement to challenge Barrios for the WBC welterweight title on July 19 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, reigniting excitement in the sport’s welterweight division.
Pacquiao confirms return: ‘I’m back!’
Pacquiao, whose last professional bout was a unanimous decision loss to Yordenis Ugas in August 2021, took to social media to announce his return. “I’m back,” he wrote, followed by a confident declaration: “Let’s make history!”
For fans of the legendary Filipino southpaw, this announcement ends years of speculation about a possible comeback. Now it’s official—Manny Pacquiao to fight Mario Barrios for a chance to reclaim welterweight glory under the World Boxing Council banner.
According to WBC regulations, a retired former champion can petition to fight for a world title upon returning to the sport. Pacquiao, who held the WBC welterweight belt during his prime years, has used this provision to challenge Barrios, the current titleholder.
While the decision has sparked debate among boxing purists, it falls within the sport’s long tradition of granting legends a shot at gold when they come out of retirement. For Pacquiao, this is more than just a return—it’s a mission to defy age and legacy expectations.
A legendary career reignited
Pacquiao’s storied boxing career includes 12 world titles across eight weight divisions, a feat unmatched in the sport’s history. With a professional record of 62 wins, 8 losses, and 2 draws—including 39 knockouts—he is widely regarded as one of the greatest fighters of all time.
Born in General Santos City, Philippines, Pacquiao began his professional career in 1995. His rise from poverty to global superstardom remains one of the most compelling narratives in boxing. Now, nearly three decades after his debut, Manny Pacquiao to fight Mario Barrios brings a new chapter to his extraordinary journey.
Since stepping away from the ring, Pacquiao has focused on his political career. He served as a senator in the Philippines and ran an unsuccessful campaign for the presidency in 2022. Though his political aspirations remain, the boxing legend appears eager to re-establish himself in the sport that first brought him fame.
His return also signals a potential recalibration of priorities. At 46, Pacquiao may be fighting for legacy, pride, and perhaps one last shot at sporting greatness. “I still have something left,” he reportedly told associates, indicating that this comeback is more than a symbolic appearance.
Mario Barrios: a dangerous opponent
While Pacquiao’s return dominates headlines, Mario Barrios is no mere stepping stone. At 28 years old, Barrios holds a 29-2-1 record, including 18 knockouts. The San Antonio native claimed the vacant WBC welterweight belt in 2023 and most recently defended it with a split draw against Abel Ramos last November.
Known for his toughness and technical precision, Barrios represents a serious challenge. Though he lacks the résumé of a Pacquiao, his youth and stamina may pose a significant test for the aging legend. This is not a ceremonial bout; Barrios is expected to bring real pressure and intent to defend his title.
Las Vegas ready for a blockbuster night
The July 19 bout at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas is already being billed as one of the year’s biggest boxing events. Las Vegas, long associated with Pacquiao’s most famous battles—from his wars with Juan Manuel Márquez to his historic win over Oscar De La Hoya—will again serve as the stage for a defining night.
The city’s boxing fans, many of whom followed Pacquiao throughout the 2000s and 2010s, are expected to turn out in force. Demand for tickets is expected to be high, and promoters are already preparing for what could be a sold-out event.
Pacquiao’s decision to return at 46 places him among a rare class of fighters attempting elite-level competition at an advanced age. The risks are significant: slower reflexes, diminished endurance, and increased susceptibility to injury. However, Pacquiao has defied the odds throughout his life and career.
His return echoes that of other iconic boxers who made comebacks past their primes, such as George Foreman and Bernard Hopkins. Yet even among legends, fighting for a world title at this age is nearly unprecedented. Pacquiao appears determined to make history once again—not just by fighting, but by winning.
What this fight means for boxing
Manny Pacquiao to fight Mario Barrios is more than just a headline—it’s a moment that could reshape the welterweight division and re-energize mainstream interest in boxing. In recent years, the sport has seen the rise of younger champions and crossover events, but Pacquiao’s return injects it with authentic star power.
If he wins, it would not only crown him a WBC champion once more but also validate his enduring ability. If he loses, it might finally close the chapter on one of boxing’s most illustrious careers. Either way, the fight will command attention from fans, pundits, and fellow fighters around the globe.
As anticipation builds for July 19, Pacquiao’s legacy remains firmly intact. Yet the Filipino icon refuses to let age or retirement define him. With Manny Pacquiao to fight Mario Barrios for the WBC welterweight title, boxing fans are set to witness a rare spectacle: a living legend returning to the arena with something still to prove.
In Pacquiao’s own words, "Let’s make history!"—and the world will be watching to see if he does just that.
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