Boxing legend Manny Pacquiao has announced a sensational and controversial return to the ring aged 46 almost four years after his last fight.
The Filipino, widely considered one of the greatest boxers of all time, will face Mario Barrios for the WBC world welterweight title on July 19 in Las Vegas.
Pacquiao is bidding to become boxing’s oldest welterweight world champion and will return to the ring for the first time since August 2021, when he was beaten on points by Yordenis Ugas.
‘I’m back,’ Pacquiao said on social media. ‘Let’s make history.’
Speculation over Pacquiao’s return has intensified in recent weeks and the WBC controversially reinstated the boxing great into their rankings at number five despite his inaction.
Defending the decision, WBC president Mauricio Suliman said: ‘Manny Pacquiao has been licensed by Nevada and passed all medicals and as legendary WBC champion has been approved to fight by our organisation.’
Pacquiao established himself as one of the greats of the sports in the 2000s, winning 62 of his 72 fights and becoming a four-time welterweight champion.
His upcoming opponent, Mexican-American 30-year-old Barrios, has won 29 of his 32 bouts, with 18 of those victories coming by way of knockout.
Barrios last fought on the undercard of Mike Tyson’s controversial comeback fight against Jake Paul in November of last year, sharing a draw with Abel Ramos.
Fans have expressed concern over Pacquiao’s boxing return after he was left with horrific injuries following his last fight in August 2012.
Footage emerged of the Filipino struggling to open his eyes in the days after the bout and being spoon-fed by his wife.
Pacquiao was well-beaten by Ugas over 12 rounds after the Cuban boxer was drafted in as a late replacement for Errol Spence Jr, who pulled out due to an eye injury.
Following that defeat, Pacquiao indicated he would be hanging up his boxing gloves for good but is now set to return at the age of 46.
‘In the future, you might not see Manny Pacquiao again to fight in the ring,’ Pacquiao said in his post-fight press conference.
‘I don’t know. But for how many decades, I’m so happy with what I’ve done in boxing.
‘I contributed a record and brought boxing to the top, and especially, brought honour to my country, the Filipino people.’
Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn is among those to express concern over Pacquiao’s boxing return and does not expect a competitive fight in Vegas.
‘He will never beat Barrios in a million years, and I don’t even rate Barrios,’ Hearn said in an interview with iFL TV.
‘If Manny Pacquiao went and had a big win in boxing, then of course I’d put him in with our guys, and he was WBC world champion.
‘But he won’t, and he shouldn’t be fighting. And he certainly shouldn’t be fighting for the world title.’
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