Boxing legend Manny Pacquiao is stepping back into the ring after nearly four years away from the sport. The 46-year-old Filipino icon will challenge Mario Barrios for the WBC welterweight title on 19 July at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
“I’m back. Let’s make history,” Pacquiao announced on social media, confirming long-standing rumours about his return.
Pacquiao’s last fight was in August 2021 when he lost by unanimous decision to Yordenis Ugas. At that time, he was already 42. He now returns older, slower, but just as determined. If he wins, he will break his own record as the oldest boxer to win a world title at 147 pounds, a feat he first achieved at 40.
Pacquiao will be inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame this June, but instead of retiring quietly, he has chosen one more title shot. Only two fighters in history have claimed world championships at 46 or older: George Foreman and Bernard Hopkins.
What makes Pacquiao’s return especially difficult is his reliance on speed and footwork, which have noticeably declined. Compared to his prime years, recent stats show he throws fewer punches per round and lands less accurately. In his six fights after turning 40, he posted a record of four wins and two losses with just one knockout.
His opponent, Mario Barrios, is 16 years younger and stands six feet tall. This makes him the tallest fighter Pacquiao has ever faced. The size and age difference add major challenges for Pacquiao, who began his professional career in 1995.
While Barrios (29 wins, 2 losses, and 1 draw with 18 knockouts) is a strong opponent, Pacquiao’s biggest battle may be against Father Time. Barrios often chooses to fight at close range despite his height, which could create openings for Pacquiao. However, success will depend on whether Pacquiao can recapture some of the speed and explosiveness that made him a global star.
Pacquiao has reunited with his longtime trainer Freddie Roach, hoping that their proven chemistry can deliver one last great performance. For South African boxing fans, many of whom remember his legendary bouts against names like Mayweather and Marquez, this comeback is a rare chance to see a true great give it one more go.
Barrios has shown weaknesses in past fights, especially against Gervonta Davis and Keith Thurman. But both were much younger and more active than Pacquiao is today.
This return is bold and risky. It defies logic and leans into legacy. For the only eight-division world champion in boxing history, making history has always been the goal.
Photo: Ethan Miller/Getty Images
