The legendary boxer Manny Pacquiao is ready to return to the ring after almost four years of retirement. According to the rules of the World Boxing Council (WBC), a former champion has the opportunity to request a title fight after a period away from the sport. In this case, Pacquiao will face Mario Barrios in July, in what is anticipated to be an exciting bout.
Pacquiao, who will soon be inducted into the Boxing Hall of Fame and is currently involved in the race for a seat in the Senate of the Philippines, will make the official announcement of his return after the elections in his country, scheduled for May 12. With 29 wins, 2 losses, and 1 draw, Mario Barrios, originally from San Antonio, Texas, has been chosen to face the iconic boxer.
The fight between Pacquiao and Barrios will take place on July 19 in Las Vegas and will be broadcast through PBC on Prime Video as a pay-per-view event. At 46 years old, Pacquiao, known for having won world titles in eight different divisions, made his last appearance in the ring in August 2021, being defeated by Yordenis Ugas.
After that fight, Pacquiao temporarily retired to focus on his political career, but rumors about his return have been persistent. Mario Barrios will be his next opponent and the WBC welterweight title will be on the line, which will undoubtedly attract attention worldwide. WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman confirmed that Pacquiao has the authorization from the Nevada State Athletic Commission to compete, and the fight was planned following Canelo Álvarez's victory in Saudi Arabia.
Manny Pacquiao's return to boxing is one of the most anticipated events in the sports world, and his matchup against Mario Barrios promises to be an epic battle that will capture the attention of fans of this sport.
