Manny Pacquiao is set to make a sensational return to boxing in July.
The 48-year-old from the Philippines is pencilled in to face reigning WBC world welterweight champion Mario Barrios in Las Vegas on July 19, although an official announcement is yet to be made.
Pacquiao has remained inactive since he was defeated by former WBA welterweight champion Yordenis Ugas in 2021, although the Filipino great has left the door open for a return to the ring since then, having had two exhibition contests during this time against Rukiya Anpo and DK Yoo respectively.
One man who has shown an interest in the return of ‘PacMan’ is former opponent Tim Bradley, who faced Pacquiao three times during his exceptional career – winning once and losing twice.
Speaking to Chris Mannix, Bradley shared his thoughts on Pacquiao’s shock comeback to the sport, as he admits he believes Barrios could be the one to send ‘PacMan’ into permanent retirement.
“Barrios is no slouch, Barrios is a young fighter, a bigger fighter, knows how to control the distance very well, can punch a little bit like he’s no easy task for anybody in the welterweight division.
For Manny to come back after this long and to face a young guy like that is dangerous and sometimes these old legends gotta get beat up several times before they call it quits, that Ugas fight I don’t know if it was enough for Pacquiao, that’s why he’s coming back but Barrios he can finish Pacquiao, there’s a possibility that he can finish Pacquiao and cause him to go back into retirement.”
Barrios’ defended his WBC title for the first time against Abel Ramos back in November, albeit in a bout what was declared as a split draw. The 29-year-old from Texas now faces a different kind of challenge in the form of Pacquiao, as he prepares to lock horns with a true icon of the sport, although he is quite clearly passed his golden years.
