Manny Pacquiao is just a few weeks away from his sensational return to boxing.
The Filipino legend will controversially challenge Mario Barrios for his WBC welterweight title at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on July 19, looking to become the oldest 147lb champion in history at the age of 46, breaking his own record.
Pacquiao hasn’t fought since back in 2021, when he suffered a unanimous decision defeat to Yordenis Ugas in their battle for the WBA welterweight title.
Following that fight, a bruised and battered ‘Pac-Man’ posted a lengthy video on social media announcing that his time in the sport was done.
“Even me, I’m amazed at what I have done. The only boxer to hold world titles in four different decades and became the oldest boxer to win a world welterweight title, an amazing accomplishment.
“It is difficult for me to accept that my time as a boxer is over. Today, I am announcing my retirement. I never thought that this day would come. As I hang up my boxing gloves, I would like to thank the whole world, especially the Filipino people, for supporting Manny Pacquiao.”
Since that point, it always seemed that Ugas would be the final opponent Pacquiao took on in a professional ring, but that will change when he returns against Barrios next month.
With the fight date quickly approaching, Ugas himself has now commented on Pacquiao’s return, needing just a few words to pay his respects to his former foe.
“He’s a warrior, he’s a champ, he’s a legend.”
Ugas has also shared the ring with Barrios, with the Cuban suffering a unanimous decision loss to Pacquiao’s next opponent back in September 2023. Speaking to Boxeo Urbano Network, he said it is a lose-lose situation for the champ.
“It could be a lose-lose situation. If he wins, people will say, ‘Pacquiao was old.’ If he loses, they’ll say, ‘You lost to an old man.’
“Barrios is taking a big risk. I fought Pacquiao when he was coming off a huge win. He had just beaten the top welterweight at the time in 2019. This time it’s harder. Pacquiao’s coming off a four-year layoff and a loss. We’ll see. It’ll be a good fight, though.”
