Four years after his last fight, Filipino boxing legend Manny Pacquiao is stepping back into the ring — this time to challenge WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios on July 19 in Las Vegas.
At 46, Pacquiao isn’t coming back for a farewell tour. He’s out to prove he still has what it takes to compete at the highest level.
“I feel young. You will see,” Pacquiao said during the kickoff press conference in Las Vegas. “Like I said, I always bring surprises to the fans.”
This will be Pacquiao’s chance to become a welterweight champion again. In 2019, he shocked the world when he defeated then-unbeaten Keith Thurman to become the oldest welterweight champion at 40.
Now, he’s training hard to pull off another upset.
“I’m not taking anything lightly. I work hard, I keep punishing myself to the limit,” said Pacquiao, the sport’s only eight-division world champion. “I can assure that I’m in 100 percent condition for the fight.”
His last bout was in 2021, a loss to Cuban fighter Yordenis Ugas.
Barrios, 30, captured the WBC welterweight crown in 2023 and is looking to solidify his reign with a win over the boxing icon.
“I’m ready. I’m a champion for a reason,” Barrios said. “This is my moment. I’m defending my title against a legend. I couldn’t be more honored.”
Despite Pacquiao’s time away from boxing, Barrios isn’t underestimating the Filipino star.
“I’m getting ready and prepared for a prime Pacquiao,” he added. “I’m stoked to give the boxing fans and the world of sports a very entertaining fight.”