Manny Pacquiao is looking to break a boxing record that he set himself back in 2019.
The Filipino fighting sensation became the oldest welterweight world champion in history when he beat Keith Thurman by split decision to win the WBA belt.
Two years later Pacquiao fought for the same belt against Yordenis Ugas but lost over a bruising twelve rounds and hasn’t fought since.
He has discussed a comeback many times but it perhaps hasn’t seemed as close as it does now with the news that he has the WBC 147 World title in his sights.
Mauricio Sulaiman, President of the sanctioning body, told Sky Sports it was possible.
“Manny Pacquiao is timeless. He’s a legend. We have great precedent of former champions coming back as long as they pass successfully all the medical examinations. As a former champion and as a legend, he does have the possibility of fighting for the WBC championship.”
With formerly undisputed champion Terence Crawford moving up to super-welterweight, Mario Barrios has been elevated to Full WBC Champion. His team are open his first defence being against ‘PacMan’ and Sulaiman looks keen to make it happen.
“I do like the idea very much. I think Manny Pacquiao can beat any fighter or can be competitive with any fighter today. But to have him return to the WBC more than two decades after he won his first world championship, which was the WBC flyweight title and then go all the way to welterweight in 2024 would be sensational.”
Negotiations continue for the fight, although how solid the plans are remains to be seen.
