Manny Pacquiao, is preparing to step back into the ring on July 19 in Las Vegas, facing current WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios.
But this comeback isn’t simply a oneoff.
After his media workout, the Filipino icon signalled there’s more to his plan than just this single match.
Aged 46, Pacquiao is already a legend: the only boxer to claim world titles in eight different weight classes, and the first to be a lineal champion across five divisions.
Now, with a shot to add a WBC welterweight belt to his decorated résumé, he’s targeting history once again.
A triumph over Barrios would not only reclaim a title but also put him in line to challenge Bernard Hopkins‘s record as the oldest-ever world champion.
Hopkins famously captured the light-heavyweight crown at 49 years and 94 days in 2014.
During the workout, Pacquiao was candid: “I think I have two or three more fights left. I feel like I could do this for another couple of years. But I’m just taking it one at a time,” adding, “My goal is to be the oldest champion and retire as a champion”.
He then emphasised the significance:
“This fight is very important to me because it’s history. I believe I’d be the first Hall of Famer to win another world title, and I’d also break my own record as the oldest welterweight world champion.”
Re-ignited fire and a recordbreaking vision
His campaign for a legendary return is bolstered by widespread support. Oscar De La Hoya, who faced Pacquiao in 2008, praised his speed and footwork and picked him to win.
The WBC’s ranking system has already given Pacquiao a topfive slot, fulfilling the requirement for a title fight despite his fouryear hiatus.
Meanwhile, Barrios insists he’s under no illusion that this is merely a glamour match.
“It is an honor to fight against Pacquiao,” Barrios previously said, “I believe he is the lucky one to fight me. I am the champion for a reason”.
The MexicanAmerican champion has held the interim WBC belt since 2023 and was elevated to full champion in June 2024.
Pacquiao‘s return follows a politically filled interlude: after losing to Yordenis Ugas in August 2021, he retired from boxing and focused on a political career in the Philippines, serving as senator from 2016 to 2022 and running unsuccessfully for president.
In recent months, he’s made clear in interviews that “The book of politics is closed. It’s not even in my mind. I’m focusing on my career as a boxer again”.
If he overcomes Barrios, a marquee rematch with Gervonta Davis could be in the cards, dubbed a “dream fight” by his team. That alignment of star power, legacy aspirations, and strategic matchmaking could cement Pacquiao‘s final act.
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