Manny Pacquiao Announces Comeback Against Mario Barrios This July

Las Vegas, NV – Boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao will return to the ring to face Mario Barrios for the WBC welterweight championship on July 19. Sources confirmed the match to ESPN on Thursday, marking Pacquiao’s first fight in nearly four years.

Pacquiao, 46, last competed in August 2021, losing to Yordenis Ugas for the WBA welterweight title. After that defeat, he announced his retirement to focus on his political career. However, rumors about his return have sparked over the past year. In July 2024, Pacquiao participated in an exhibition match against kickboxer Rukiya Anpo.

WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman confirmed the upcoming match, stating, “At this time, Mario Barrios is going to face Manny Pacquiao in July. That’s a tremendous fight.” Sulaiman also noted that Pacquiao has been cleared to compete by the Nevada State Athletic Commission.

Barrios, fighting out of San Antonio, holds a record of 29 wins, 2 losses, and 1 draw, with 18 KOs. He last fought on the undercard of a match featuring Mike Tyson and Jake Paul. After defeating Ugas in September 2023, he became the WBC champion when Terence Crawford moved up in weight.

The event is set to take place at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, pending availability due to Lady Gaga’s Mayhem Ball tour on the same dates. Pacquiao has a history at this venue, having won his first major world title there in June 2001.

Pacquiao’s comeback is anticipated, especially given that he will announce his return officially after the May 12 Senate elections in the Philippines. Throughout his boxing career, he has established himself as the first and only eight-division world champion, and there is great excitement about his next steps.