Manny Pacquiao to Face Mario Barrios This July in Comeback Fight

MANILA, Philippines – Boxing legend Manny Pacquiao will return to the ring at age 46 to face WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios this July. The World Boxing Council (WBC) president, Mauricio Sulaiman, confirmed the match during a discussion with Boxing King Media.

“At this time, Mario Barrios is going to fight Manny Pacquiao in July. That’s a tremendous fight,” Sulaiman stated. This fight marks Pacquiao’s first scheduled professional bout since August 2021, when he lost to Yordenis Ugas.

Pacquiao, a celebrated eight-weight world champion, announced his retirement after the Ugas fight. He has, however, participated in several exhibition bouts, including a recent match against Japanese fighter Rukiya Anpo, which did not go well for him.

“I made history at 40 beating Keith Thurman, and I feel at 45, I have a lot left in the game as I haven’t taken a lot of punishment over the last few years,” Pacquiao said in a past interview with ESPN.

Sulaiman explained that the direct title shot for Pacquiao is allowed under a special WBC provision for legendary champions. “We do have that provision in the rules. A legendary champion like Pacquiao is allowed to fight,” he added. He mentioned the precedent set by Sugar Ray Leonard, who returned after a four-year hiatus to defeat Marvin Hagler.

Barrios, 29, holds a professional record of 29-2-1 and became the full WBC champion in June 2024 after Terence Crawford moved to a higher weight class. He is 17 years younger than Pacquiao and fought to a split draw in his last match against Abel Ramos.

With elections for the Philippine Senate set for May 12, Pacquiao’s campaign may delay official announcements concerning the bout. The fight is likely to occur in late July, with Las Vegas suggested as the probable venue.

“I want to go out making history,” Pacquiao declared regarding his return to boxing.