Manny Pacquiao has been out of action since a bruising 2021 loss to Yordenis Ugas in a challenge for the WBA Welterweight World title.
Already down as an all-time great, Pacquiao first laced up the gloves in the pro ranks back in 1995 and would go on to become the only fighter to hold world championships in four different decades.
The 45-year-old, eight-divsion world champion would retire after the Ugas loss, but has always been in and around the sport teasing a comeback. His management team has been clear that he will return to the ring for the right fight, be that a world title or a glamour bout against a big name.
It’s the former they appear to be targetting now according to ESPN’s Salvador Rodriguez, who reports that the Filipino fighting legend has his eye on the WBC Welterweight title.
Terence Crawford was formerly undisputed in the 147 ranks, but has been made Champion in Recess by the WBC as he moves up to 154 in an attempt to become a four-weight world champion.
The Interim title holder for that sanctioning body is Mario Barrios, and that’s the man Rodriguez claims ‘PacMan’ wants. Pacquiao is of course not currently ranked with the WBC having been inactive for years, but may be in discussions to make that change.
Barrios – who was previously the WBA Regular world champion at super-lightweight before moving up – is followed in the ratings by number one contender Souleymane Cissokho and two Conor Benn, who has himself been linked with Pacquiao but is currently provisionally suspended by the British Boxing Board of Control stemming from failed doping tests.
