Manny Pacquiao has been in training for several months ahead of his planned return to the ring.
The Filipino boxing icon hasn’t fought since back in August 2021 when he lost a WBA welterweight title fight to Yordenis Ugas at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Many people expected that to be the last time that they would see Pacquiao inside a professional boxing ring, but he shocked everybody by announcing a return to the sport at the age of 46 to challenge WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios at the MGM Grand on Saturday.
The card was also set to feature a super-lightweight bout between former WBA champion Isaac Cruz, and Mexican hard-hitter Angel Fierro. It would have been a rematch from their meeting back in February, which Cruz won by unanimous decision.
With just hours to go until fight night though, it has been revealed by Mike Coppinger that Fierro has had to withdraw from the bout.
“Angel Fierro has been forced to withdraw from Saturday’s rematch with Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz, sources told @ringmagazine. The 140-pound fight was scheduled for the Manny Pacquiao-Mario Barrios PPV undercard in Las Vegas. Cruz defeated Fierro in a firefight in February.
Fierro encountered health issues during his weight cut, sources said. Told Fierro is headed to a hospital for observation after he encountered health issues during his weight cut. Wishing him speedy recovery.”
It’s currently unknown whether a replacement opponent will be secured to allow Cruz to remain on the card, but the main event will still see Pacquiao make his return to face Barrios.
