Manny Pacquiao is set to announce his ring return against Mario Barrios, but has now been called out by a retired world champion.
Pacquiao is now 46-years-old. He is one of the most legendary fighters of his generation and, across 72 professional contests before he last fought in 2021, he picked up a version of the world title in eight different divisions.
He has faced a who’s who of the last 20 years, including the likes of Floyd Mayweather, Oscar De La Hoya, Tim Bradley, Juan Manuel Marquez and Miguel Cotto and won 62 bouts, 39 by knockout.
Pacquiao has long been teasing a comeback and made a failed attempt to compete in the Paris Olympics back in 2024. He is set to finally return when he faces 29-year-old current WBC welterweight champion Barrios, but now another former world champion has thrown his hat in the ring.
That man is Amir Khan, who has long chased a fight with Pacquiao and has told Sky Sports that he thinks he makes a more sensible return option, given they are closer in age and have both been retired for a couple of years.
“A long lay-off and at the same time you’re always that one punch away from getting hurt. I think it will be a fantastic fight but if I was to advise Manny I wouldn’t say to come back.
“You should come back to someone that’s already retired, someone like myself for example, because then it’s an even fight. But when you look at a young fighter who’s still a fighter, who’s still boxing, who’s active, sometimes it’s dangerous.”
The Barrios match-up has been met by criticism from many fans, fighters and pundits given both his advancing years as well as the idea that he can walk straight into a title challenge.
