Manny Pacquiao is one month away from making a sensational return to boxing.
The 46-year-old eight-division world champion will challenge WBC world welterweight champion Mario Barrios on Saturday July 19 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
‘PacMan’ has not fought since he was beaten by former WBA welterweight champion Yordenis Ugas, announcing his retirement from the sport shortly after this shock defeat.
Despite making his exit from the professional ranks, Pacquiao made returns to the ring in exhibition bouts against mixed martial artists DK Yoo and Rukiya Anpo in 2022 and 2024 respectively.
With rumours that the 46-year-old Filipino icon is targeting a showdown with WBA world lightweight champion Gervonta Davis after he faces Barrios next month, he revealed in a media scrum that he would indeed ‘like’ that fight to happen next, but is fully focused on Barrios at the moment.
“I like that [fight], I like that.
I mean I like that but you know, let’s finish first this one because this one is a taller champion like that, so I have a lot of things to do in training camp.”
‘Tank’ Davis remains unbeaten as a professional since his debut back in 2013, winning world titles in three divisions up until this point. The 30-year-old from Baltimore, Maryland is currently in preparations for a rematch with Lamont Roach Jr after their first encounter back in March ended in controversy.
The fight was declared a split decision draw but it has been argued that Roach should have had his hand raised. ‘Tank’ took a knee to the canvas in the ninth round after being caught with a Roach jab, but referee Steve Willis failed to rule this as an official knockdown in favour of ‘The Reaper’.
