Pacquiao's Return to Boxing: Details on Opponent, Date, and Fight Information - News Article
Manny Pacquiao, frequently known as "Pac-Man," is gearing up for his highly anticipated comeback.
According to ESPN's Andreas Hale, the legendary fighter isn't just stepping back into the ring for a meaningless exhibition—he's set to challenge the current 147-pound title holder, Mario Barrios, for his crown.
At the age of 46, Pacquiao will face off against Barrios, who is 29. The fight is scheduled for July 19 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Pacquiao-Barrios will headline a card that will also feature the much-anticipated rematch between WBC and WBO super welterweight champion Sebastian Fundora and Tim Tszyu.
Tszyu experienced a loss after his match with Fundora. He was defeated in October 2024 by Bakhram Murtazaliev. However, Tszyu bounced back with an impressive fourth-round TKO win over Joseph Spencer in April, setting up his rematch.
The upcoming fight will be a Premier Boxing Champions Prime Video pay-per-view event.
Pacquiao hasn't competed professionally since August 2021, when he lost a unanimous decision to Yordenis Ugas in a bid for the WBA title. Although he participated in an exhibition against Rukiya Anpo in July 2024, his performance didn't garner rave reviews.
Mario Barrios, whom Pacquiao will face, holds a record of 29-2-1 with 18 KOs. His most recent bout was in November 2023, fighting Abel Ramos to a split draw. Although he has lost to Gervonta Davis and Keith Thurman, he was elevated to the WBC champion position when Terence Crawford vacated the title to move up to 154 pounds.
If Manny Pacquiao wins, he will set a record as the oldest welterweight champion in history, surpassing George Foreman's record of regaining a title at 45.
Pacquiao initially retired to focus on politics in his home country, where he is still campaigning for a position as a senator. However, he has put his political pursuits on hold while he trains for this historic championship return. The upcoming election is believed to be the reason Pacquiao hasn't officially announced the bout, although it appears that all parties have agreed to terms.
Should Mario Barrios choose to disrupt the International Boxing Hall of Fame ceremony where Pacquiao is to be inducted in June, it could potentially make him a heel, generating significant hype for the upcoming fight.
[1] Pacquiao's last professional boxing match was against Yordenis Ugas, which took place on August 21, 2021.[2] Manny Pacquiao lost the match to Yordenis Ugas via unanimous decision.[5] Additional information about Pacquiao's boxing career can be found in sources that provide comprehensive details about his fights, such as BoxRec.org.
- Manny Pacquiao, age 46, has confirmed a comeback in professional boxing, challenging Mario Barrios, the current 147-pound title holder, scheduled for July 19 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
- The fight between Pacquiao and Barrios will see the boxing legend competing for the first time since a unanimous decision loss to Yordenis Ugas in August 2021.
- Mario Barrios, who will face Pacquiao, is a 29-year-old boxer with a record of 29-2-1 and 18 KOs, elevated to the WBC champion position after Terence Crawford vacated the title to move up to 154 pounds.
