Pacquiao's Return to the Ring: Foe, Timeline, and Details - Update
Manny Pacquiao is making a comeback, and it's bigger than ever! According to ESPN's Andreas Hale, the legendary boxer isn't just stepping back into the ring for a boring exhibition—he's aiming for a world-title fight.
Pacquiao, 46, is reportedly gunning for the 147-pound crown currently held by the 29-year-old Mario Barrios. The highly anticipated fight will take place on July 19 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, serving as the main event of a Premier Boxing Champions Prime Video pay-per-view event (Pacquiao-Barrios, don't you love that ring?).
The undercard features a much-anticipated rematch between WBC and WBO super welterweight champion Sebastian Fundora and Tim Tszyu. Tszyu lost his next fight after the loss to Fundora, facing a brutal knockout by Bakhram Murtazaliev in October 2024. But he's back on his feet, securing an impressive fourth-round TKO win over Joseph Spencer in April to set up the rematch.
Pacquiao has been away from professional boxing since August 2021. He lost a unanimous decision to Yordenis Ugas in a WBA title battle but did participate in an exhibition against Rukiya Anpo in July 2024.
Intriguingly, there have been rumors of this bout since 2024, but Pacquiao had to secure clearance from the Nevada State Athletic Commission. He got that in May 2025, making him eligible to challenge for the WBC title as per the governing body's rules.
With Pacquiao set to be inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in June, things are heating up for the upcoming title fight. Imagine if Mario Barrios showed up at the ceremony to taunt Pacquiao—talk about hype!
Initially, Pacquiao retired to focus on politics in his country, where he is still running for a senatorial seat. However, his love for boxing seems to have drawn him back into the ring for this championship return. While the upcoming election is believed to be the reason Pacquiao hasn't formally announced the bout, all parties appear to have agreed to terms.
Before you start placing your bets, remember that Mario Barrios boasts a record of 29-2-1 with 18 KOs. His only losses came against Gervonta Davis and Keith Thurman. Expect him to be a massive favorite over Pacquiao.
Stay tuned for more details as they become available over the next few weeks!
[1] "Barrios knocks out Spencer in 4"
[2] "Manny Pacquiao reportedly to challenge Mario Barrios for WBC welterweight title"
[3] "Manny Pacquiao set for WBA welterweight title fight"
- Manny Pacquiao, aged 46, is set to challenge Mario Barrios for the 147-pound world title in a fight scheduled for July 19 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
- Mario Barrios, who boasts a record of 29-2-1 with 18 KOs, will defend his title against the legendary boxer Pacquiao, who is aiming for a comeback in professional boxing after a brief hiatus.
- Previously, there were rumors of a match between Pacquiao and Mario Barrios, but after securing clearance from the Nevada State Athletic Commission in May 2025, the fight is definitely happening, adding to the excitement in the sports world.
