Manny Pacquiao is on the verge of making his sensational return to boxing.
The eight-division world champion is set to challenge reigning WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios this Saturday July 19 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Pacquiao has not fought as a professional since the summer of 2021 when he was beaten by former WBA welterweight champion Yordenis Ugas, before going on to draw the curtain on his career shortly after to focus on politics.
One man who has more experience than most with Pacquiao is retired two-weight world champion Timothy Bradley, who shared the ring with Pacquiao on several occasions throughout his career.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Bradley shared his thoughts on his former rival’s impending return to the ring.
“Think about this, 16 years younger, man, 6 inch height advantage, damn, 4 inch reach advantage, got some power, steady feet, got some steady feet to be able to counter punch effectively, got a damn good right hand, and I’m talking about Mario Barrios.
Yeah he got a left hook too, I see what Manny Pacquiao think he can do, I do see it because Barrios yeah he tends to fold under pressure, look at that Ramos fight he just had, yeah under pressure, all Ramos did was continue to put that pressure, ease on that pressure, Manny Pacquiao feels he can do the same thing!”
Bradley then offered his final prediction.
“Imma go for the young gun man [Barrios], the age alone, that’s what I’m going with I’m going with the champion, Hey, can Manny Pacquiao turn back the hand of time? Yeah he probably can, he probably can but not on my watch.”
As he prepares to step into the relatively unknown, Pacquiao could become the oldest welterweight world champion of all time should he be victorious, breaking a record he actually set himself six years ago when he defeated Keith Thurman.
