Manny Pacquiao is one month away from making a sensational comeback to the sport.
The 46-year-old Filipino great will do battle with reigning WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios on Saturday July 19 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Pacquiao has not fought as a professional since he suffered a defeat to former WBA welterweight champion Yordenis Ugas four years ago.
‘Pac-Man’ did make brief returns to the ring in 2022 and 2024 however, facing mixed martial artists Rukiya Anpo and DK Yoo in exhibition contests.
In an interview with K.O. Artist Sports, reigning WBO super-lightweight champion Teofimo Lopez had his say on Pacquiao’s upcoming return to ring, as he claims it is ‘great for the sport’.
“I’ll say that it’s great to have Pacquiao back, you know what I mean? And definitely I think people are gonna tune in because it’s Manny Pacquiao, he’s a legend, he’s paved the way for the sport.
“He’s still fighting at this time and this age, and you know it’s all about how he looks against Barrios, it’s a great money fight for him but at the same time it’s great for the sport because it keeps us in the loop and I think that he’s doing his part and god willing we see him conquer another division or another world title once again.”
Pacquiao will become the oldest world welterweight champion of all time should he be victorious against Barrios, breaking the record that he actually set himself back in 2019 when he defeated Keith Thurman to capture the WBA title at 40-years-old.
