Written by Manny Pacquiao | Noah K. Murray, USA TODAY Sports
Manny Pacquiao is set to throw hands again.
The boxing legend is set to return to the ring on July 19 in Las Vegas, where he will fight WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios, according to a report from ESPN. Pacquiao, 46, announced his retirement from competition in 2021.
Pacquiao (62-8-2) is yet to make the announcement official, but should he fight again, he’ll add to one of the most impressive legacies in combat sports history. The Filipino star won titles in eight divisions, competing all the way from flyweight up to light middleweight. In total, Pacquiao won 12 titles in the ring.
His bout with Floyd Mayweather Jr. in May 2015 shattered box office records and he was involved countless memorable battles against the likes of Oscar De La Hoya, Juan Manuel Marquez, Shane Mosley, Timothy Bradley, and Erik Morales.
During his time away from professional competition, Pacquiao has been no stranger to headlines. He served as a senator in the Philippines from 2016-2022 and has long been active in politics in his native country (he is currently pursuing a spot in the Senate again). Sports-wise, he continued to participate in exhibition bouts, facing DK Yoo in South Korea in 2022 and Rukiya Anpo in Japan in 2024.
WBC president Mauricio Sulamain recently told Boxing King Media that Pacquiao was cleared for a comeback with the expectation that Barrios, 29, would be his opponent.
Barrios (29-2-1) seeks the second defense of his WBC title since it was promoted to undisputed status in 2024. He fought Abel Ramos to a split draw this past November to retain the belt.