The legendary Manny Pacquiao confirmed his return to boxing at the age of 46, to challenge Mario Barrios for the World Boxing Council (WBC) welterweight championship on July 19 in Las Vegas.
Pacman’s last fight was in August 2021, when he lost by unanimous decision to Cuban Yordenis Ugas for the WBA super welterweight title, before announcing his retirement: “This is the hardest decision I’ve ever made, but I’m at peace with it. Chase your dreams, work hard and see what happens. Goodbye to boxing.”
The Filipino is the only boxer to win world titles in eight different divisions and has now made official his return to the ring after four years of retirement
“I’m back,” was the comment with which Pacquiao made his return official through his social networks, before offering more details along with a promotional image of the fight: “On July 19, I return to the ring to face the WBC welterweight champion, Mario Barrios, at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas… Let’s make history.”
The controversy of the fight
The WBC has a clause that allows former champions to return with a ranking if they decide to come out of retirement to claim a title fight, which has sparked controversy and many detractors, including Juan Manuel Marquez, Jeff Mayweather and British commentator Dave Coldwell.
“This is embarrassing from @WBCBoxing: 4 years retired. 6 years since his last win, how the hell does that entitle him to a world title shot?” Coldwell posted on his X account.
For his part, Juan Manuel Marquez pointed to the WBC for allowing Pacman to compete for a title after four years of retirement.
“The one to blame is the organization, why does it put Pacquiao to fight for the world title after four years inactive? Where are the ranked from 1 to 10, from 1 to 5? The organization is making a mistake, but letting a historic fighter fight is not an issue. If he feels good, if he has no pain from an injury, let’s give him the benefit of the doubt, of how he would come back,” Marquez said in an interview with Probox TV.
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