After a four-year hiatus from professional boxing, Manny Pacquiao has decided to return to the ring to face his first fight for the welterweight title against Mario Barrios on July 19 in Las Vegas, Nevada. However, despite the fact that the Filipino has been champion in eight different categories, he received a chilling warning from Oscar De La Hoya about his return to pugilism.
It should be remembered that the legendary boxer last fought in 2021, when he lost by unanimous decision to Yordenis Ugas, and it was the moment when he decided to hang up his gloves to begin a political career in his native Philippines where he reached the Senate, although he lost the presidential elections as well as re-election to the Senate. In May, Pacquiao posted on social media: “I’m back. On July 19, I return to the ring to face WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Let’s make history!”. However, after four years without fighting professionally, De La Hoya has spoken out about Pacquiao’s upcoming return to boxing.
The “Golden Boy’s” vision of the return of the great “Pac-man”
Among boxing analysts, they do not rule out that Pacquiao could beat Barrios, who is 30 years old, however, they agree that he must be careful because Mario Barrios wants to “make a name for himself with his name”. Oscar de la Hoya was invited to the show “The Ariel Helwani Show” where he stated: “You know what? I learned that you can never tell a fighter if he has to retire or not, he has to make that decision on his own. I think if Manny wants to fight again and he feels it in his gut, he feels it in his heart, then why not give it a try?”
The Golden Boy, and now boxing promoter, highlighted the following: “But be careful, you’re facing a young guy who’s probably half your age, who’s coming at you with everything, who’s going to try to make a hole for you. So we can feel great in the gym, we can feel amazing throwing punches with the pads and in sparring, but when the first bell rings in a real fight, it changes completely when you’re in your forties.”
Manny Pacquiao wants to stay in boxing regardless of the outcome against Mario Barrios
At 46 years of age, for the octuple champion, after July 19, 2025, he could try to continue fighting even if he loses to Barrios. Speaking to the Los Angeles Times last month, when asked if he could continue fighting even after facing Barrios, he said: “I’m still here, one at a time. That’s the way I am. If there are changes in my boxing style, I have to listen to my body, my heart and if my mind is also there, then I’ll know if I’m ready.”
Due to the 16-year age difference between the two, many fans and analysts have been concerned about what might happen to Pacquiao when he faces Barrios. However, the famous “Pac.man” is not worried about these details and added that he only cares what his family thinks. “I appreciate that they are concerned, however, the only people I care about are my family. How I move, how I train, what condition I’m in, they support me because they can still see the old Manny Pacquiao”.
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