Manny Pacquiao is set to return to the ring this year at 46-years-old and former opponent Ricky Hatton has one big question.
The Filipino fighting sensation has teased a comeback for many years and is finally ready to make good on his promise when he steps through the ropes with WBC Welterweight World Champion Mario Barrios this summer.
Speaking to TalkSPORT, Hatton – who was brutally knocked out by Pacquiao back in 2009 – was bemused by the fact that the fight has been sanctioned, even despite the man’s storied career.
“It’s boxing, isn’t it? If you can let a 58-year-old Mike Tyson box Jake Paul, Manny Pacquiao coming back at 46 doesn’t look too bad, does it? But Manny is coming back fighting for a world title – and I say this with love – how has he got that world title shot? He’s been retired six years. He’s got that on previous successes. To walk straight into a world title fight? How is that allowed possible?
“Surely he must’ve dropped out the rankings when he retired. All of a sudden he’s making a comeback and they put him straight in at number one contender. Only boxing can answer that. How could he be in the top 10? Hell of a fighter a few years back, but we don’t know what he’s gonna be like today. You’d like to think he’d have a couple of warm-up fights so we can see and then get him in. Boxing these days, the money’s everything isn’t it?”
An official announcement is pending for the bout, however all signs point to July 19. Should Pacquiao win, he will break his own record as boxing’s oldest welterweight world champion.
