Manny Pacquiao says he has “almost” agreed a rematch with fellow boxing legend Floyd Mayweather.
The former multi-weight world champions first met in 2015, in what was billed as the ‘Fight of the Century’.
Mayweather won after 12 rounds by unanimous decision but Pacquiao said he had a shoulder injury and told the BBC in 2018 that he “cannot retire with peace of mind with that defeat”.
Mayweather has had a string of exhibition bouts since retiring with an undefeated record in 2017 and the 48-year-old American is scheduled to face Mike Tyson next year.
But Pacquiao says Mayweather’s camp are “in negotiations” over a rematch that would “probably” take place in Las Vegas.
“It depends on whether we can understand each other,” the Filipino told Seconds Out., external “My people and his people [are] directly co-ordinating.”
Referring to his injury in 2015, Pacquiao added: “It’s very interesting because, right now, I don’t have a shoulder problem.
“I’m sure the world of boxing will be excited if the rematch will push through. He has his own decision so I cannot prevent him from fighting Mike Tyson.”
Mayweather’s exhibition fight with former heavyweight champion Tyson, 59, is scheduled for next spring but an exact date is yet to be confirmed.
Although that option is viable, it is much more likely Crocker will either face Benn or enjoy another big night in Belfast for a first voluntary defence.
However, much will depend on the outcome of November’s middleweight rematch between Benn and Chris Eubank Jr in terms of when Benn could be ready to return to the ring and drop back to welterweight.
The updated IBF rankings have former light-welterweight champion Liam Paro in the number two position with Donovan, who is understood to be appealing September’s decision at Windsor Park, in third.
A successful outcome for Donovan would most likely see him retain his high ranking and secure a final eliminator against Paro for the mandatory slot.
“Benn is the fight Crocker wants and he is confident he will beat him,” Conlan confirmed.
“That’s all well and good and the numbers are exciting, but you are putting Lewis’ livelihood on hold in hope of what will happen in another fight [Eubank-Benn II] and it doesn’t work like that, so get something booked for Belfast and most likely that’s what will happen next. If they [Matchroom] control the situation with the mandatory, then it can be pushed off and we can do Benn [after a first voluntary].
“There are still a few moving parts to happen, but I think Paro will fight Donovan or Karen Chukhadzhian next.
“Donovan’s team have appealed so his ranking hasn’t moved. That could be good news for ‘Croc’ as his mandatory will be kept on the long finger if Paro is out in the early part of next year. That could give us the opportunity of two voluntaries before we have a mandatory.”
Among the herd of aspiring actors who move to Los Angeles to pursue their Hollywood dreams, Manny Jacinto was sure to set modest expectations for himself.
“In my head, I was going to come here a few times,” says Jacinto, who grew up in Richmond, Canada. “I was going to try pilot [season] once, fail, come back next year, fail again, and I was going to repeat that pattern probably for the next five years until hopefully, fingers crossed, I landed something.”
In Sunday Funday, L.A. people give us a play-by-play of their ideal Sunday around town. Find ideas and inspiration on where to go, what to eat and how to enjoy life on the weekends.
But just a few months after relocating to L.A. in 2016, he nabbed a starring role in NBC’s “The Good Place,” alongside Ted Danson and Kristen Bell, and “it just changed my life,” says Jacinto, who played the lovable but not-so-bright Jason Mendoza.
Since that breakout performance, Jacinto has racked up several more acting credits including “Nine Perfect Strangers,” “Top Gun: Maverick” and “The Acolyte.” His latest film, “Freakier Friday” — the sequel to the hit 2003 film — hits theaters today.
“Little Manny, who was waking up on a Sunday [and] watching cartoons, would have never thought he’d be acting opposite Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan,” says Jacinto, who plays Eric Reyes, Lohan’s British fiancé in the film.
We caught up with Jacinto to talk about his perfect day in L.A., which he would spend with his wife and best friend, Dianne Doan. On the agenda is an intense morning workout, dinner with loved ones at a Filipino restaurant that reminds him of home and enjoying boba at the park.
This interview has been lightly edited for length and clarity.
9 a.m.: Wake up and meditate Ideally, I’d get up at 9 a.m. to get enough enough sleep, but also get some things done for the day. I’ll try to meditate for 10 minutes using the Calm app or just by myself. I typically don’t really eat until after 11 a.m., but if I need something in my stomach, I will make a shake. It could be as basic as protein powder, collagen and a greens powder or it can be as elaborate as all the berries, hemp seeds, beet powder and spinach.
11 a.m.: Work up a sweat I will try and hit up some sort of workout class to get my body active. I’ve been going to this place in Glassell Park called Ganbatte Fitness and it’s a good community of people. It’s also Asian-owned and it kicks my butt. It’s probably the hardest workout that I’ve ever done in my life — not even just in L.A., like around the world. Or I’ll hit up a hot yoga class. CorePower is always a go-to. I’ll do the C2 hot power yoga class and get my sweat in.
1 p.m.: Find the best sandwich in L.A. Afterward, I’d have my first proper meal. For some reason, I’ve been scouring L.A. for the best sandwich spots. I’ve ran into a few. One of them is Mamie. It’s an Italian sandwich spot in West Hollywood. The last sandwich that I had is the Viale Di Parma, which has fig jam. It’s really good. There’s also Bodega Park [near] Silver Lake. Their spicy chicken Caesar is solid. Then there’s a place in Frogtown called Wax Paper and it’s basically in a shipping container on a corner of the street. They have really solid sandwiches.
3 p.m.: Sip on boba at the park We might do some retail therapy. There’s this store in Silver Lake that I found called Anonymous Ism. They have a lot of Japanese clothing, just a lot of unique and quality pieces that you don’t really see often. If I’m not doing that, I’ll go hang out at a park. Our dog, Henry, passed away in November. He, Dianne and I used to get bubble tea and hang out at Lacy Park. That would be our afternoon chill out time. We haven’t been to that park in a while partly because we would really go because of Henry. It was a tough one to get over, but we’ll definitely be back. We’d get boba from Bopomofo Cafe and I always get the strawberry corn milk. Some people think it’s weird because of the corn, but it reminds me of a Filipino or Vietnamese dessert.
7 p.m.: A meal that ‘reminds me a bit of home’ It feels like I’m just eating constantly, but I love an early dinner so we’d have dinner with friends after the park. I really love this place called Lasita in Chinatown. They’re really good people, there’s really great vibes and the food is always on point. Because I’m Filipino and it’s a Filipino restaurant, it just reminds me of a bit of home. They are always switching up the menu, but the pork belly lechon is a go-to. Either that or we’d go to one of my other favorite restaurants, which is Majordomo in the Arts District.
9 p.m.: Wind down with ‘Mario Kart’ I am 50 years old at heart, so I’m ready to pack it up. I love an early dinner and I love ending my night with “Mario Kart.” It’s a random thing that I started picking up during the pandemic. It’s kind of like my wind down. They recently released the [Nintendo] Switch 2 and it’s wild because I’ve been seeing all these articles saying that “Mario Kart” is the most stressful game to play. It raises your heart rate by like 50% or something like that, but it’s so calming to me just taking my mind off of things for a little bit. I usually play with Dianne or a group of friends online or people from around the world online.
11 p.m: Get some shut–eye Then we’d get into our night routine. I’ll shower, cleanse, moisturize and all that stuff. I’ll also do 10 minutes of red light therapy and I’ll maybe meditate for a few minutes to calm myself down, then go to bed.
LAS VEGAS — Manny Pacquiao pushed back against his doubters, the odds and even Father Time on Saturday night — and nearly made some history.
But Pacquiao, in the end, fell just short on the judges’ scorecards as Mario Barrios escaped with a majority draw to retain the WBC welterweight championship. Two judges scored the bout a draw, and judge Max DeLuca awarded Barrios a 115-113 victory.
The Associated Press scored the fight 115-113 in favor of Pacquiao.
“I thought I won the fight,” Pacquiao said.
Barrios landed more total punches (120-101), according to Compubox, but Pacquiao had the edge in power shots (81-75).
Pacquiao, enshrined into the International Boxing Hall of Fame last month, was trying to break his own record for oldest welterweight champion. He was 40 when he emerged victorious in a 2019 split decision over Keith Thurman. This also was the first appearance in the ring in nearly four years for the 46-year-old Filipino, following a loss by unanimous decision to Yordenis Ugás.
Barrios, a 30-year-old from San Antonio, was a -275 favorite at BetMGM Sportsbook. He hoped to bounce back from a split-decision draw on Nov. 15 against Abel Ramos, but didn’t exactly come away with an emphatic victory in improving to 29-2-2. The heavily pro-Pacquiao crowd loudly booed the decision.
“It was an honor to share the ring with him,” Barrios said. “This is by far the biggest event I’ve had to date, and we came in here and left everything in the ring. I have nothing but respect for Manny.
“His stamina is crazy. He’s still strong as hell and his timing is real. He’s still a very awkward fighter to try to figure out.”
Mario Barrios, left, and Manny Pacquiao pose for photos in the ring after fighting to a majority draw in Las Vegas on Saturday.
(John Locher / Associated Press)
Pacman (62-9-2) moved swiftly around the ring from the beginning, often looking more like the younger champion who captured 12 world titles in eight divisions. He began to be take control in the seventh, landing several big left hands to win the following three rounds on two cards and two on the other.
But Barrios was the better fighter at the end, coming out more aggressive knowing he might be in trouble with the judges. All three, in fact, awarded Barrios each of the final three rounds.
“I didn’t think the fight was getting away from me, but I knew I had to step it up to solidify a win,” Barrios said.
Both sides said they would be interested in a rematch.
“I hope this is an inspiration to boxers that if you have discipline and work hard, you can still fight at this age,” Pacquiao said.
Sebastian Fundora (23-1-1, 15 KOs) retained his WBC super welterweight title when Tim Tszyu (25-3) didn’t come out for the eighth round in the co-main event. Fundora floored Tszyu with a left hand in the first round and dominated the action with 118 power punches, according to Compubox, by repeatedly backing down the Australian.
“I’m the bigger guy,” said Fundora, who led 69-63 on all three judges’ cards. “Everyone says I’m a bully in the ring, so I thought I should start really bullying these guys. I just kept working on aggression my whole career and we’ve just been adding.”
It was a big week for Fundora, who was accepted into Harvard and then won the rematch with Tszyu. The first fight on March 30, 2024, was much closer, with Fundora emerging with a split-decision victory.
The Coachella, Calif., resident also had been the WBO champion, but that organization stripped him of his belt for not fighting mandatory challenger Xander Zayas.
The 46-year old’s comeback bid for 13th world title falls short with a draw against WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios.
Manny Pacquiao’s bid to become the oldest welterweight champion in boxing history fell short as he failed to beat Mario Barrios at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
But he did not lose, either.
Instead, the 46-year-old Pacquiao and the 30-year-old Barrios fought to a majority draw on Saturday, with one judge giving Barrios a 115-113 win and the other two judges scoring it a 114-114 draw.
The result allowed Barrios (29-2-2, 18 knockouts) to retain his WBC welterweight belt.
“I thought I won the fight,” Pacquiao said afterwards.
“I mean, it was a close fight. My opponent was very tough. It was a wonderful fight. It was good.”
Pacquiao (62-8-3, 39 KOs) already holds the record for the oldest welterweight champion, winning the belt via split-decision over Keith Thurman in 2019.
The Filipino legend was enshrined in the International Boxing Hall of Fame last month. Pacquiao dominated Saturday’s fight early on, showing energy against his younger foe.
Ultimately, though, CompuBox stats had Barrios landing more punches (120-101) and more jabs (45-20), though Pacquiao landed 81 power punches to Barrios’s 75.
Barrios, right, throws a right at Pacquiao in the third round [Ethan Miller/Getty Images via AFP]
Pacquiao held the lead on all three cards after 10 rounds, but Barrios took all three rounds on all three scorecards to avoid the upset. Age and stamina were definitely on Pacquiao’s mind after the fight.
“I need to continue my training for longer going into a championship fight,” said Pacquiao, who lost his senatorial bid in the Philippines in May. “Because of the election, I started late, but it’s OK. Of course, I’d like a rematch. I want to leave a legacy and make the Filipino people proud.
“Don’t tell that to Barrios.
“His stamina is crazy,” the champion said. “He’s still strong as hell, and his timing is real. He’s still a very awkward fighter to try to figure out.”
As for a rematch, Barrios is ready.
“I’ll do the rematch. Absolutely. This was huge for boxing. I’d love to do it again.”
Barrios, left, and Pacquiao react after fighting to a majority draw in their welterweight title bout [John Locher/AP Photo]
In his return to boxing after four years without a fight, Manny Pacquiao says he has more “passion and determination” than ever.
The 46-year-old Filipino star says his disciplined training regimen will help him shine in the ring Saturday and defeat World Boxing Council (WBC) welterweight champion Mario Barrios — a fighter 16 years Pacquiao’s junior — in the main event at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas (5 p.m. PDT, Prime Video).
The 30-year-old champion Barrios is known for his effective counter-punching and is in the prime of his career. But the most important opponent for “Pacman” will be weathering Father Time. The last time Pacquiao was in a competitive fight was when he lost in late 2021 by unanimous decision to Cuba’s Yordenis Ugas, throwing a lot of punches, but connecting on few.
“It’s my passion, and the fire in my heart, in my mind is still there,” Pacquiao (62-8-2, 39 KOs) said in an interview with The Times at the Wild Card Gym in Hollywood. “I can still work hard in training and I can still fight.”
Manny Pacquiao, center, and WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios pose at a news conference in Los Angeles on June 3.
(Greg Beacham / Associated Press)
If he wins, Pacquiao would make history in many categories: he would become the second oldest champion in boxing history, after Bernard Hopkins became the oldest world champion at 46 years and 126 days by beating Jean Pascal in 2011. He would also be the oldest oldest champion in a division below light heavyweight and the only active champion to be part of the Boxing Hall of Fame.
Pacquiao noted that one of his goals in his return to boxing is to become the oldest fighter in boxing alongside trainer Freddie Roach, extending an illustrious career in which he has won titles in eight different divisions. The Filipino is the only boxer to conquer and retain titles during each of the past four decades.
“He’s having very good combinations, his power is still there,” said Roach, who first met Pacquiao in 2001.
“My goal is to be the oldest champion and retire as champion,” said Pacquiao, who expects to participate in two or three more fights, including some exhibition bouts. Prior to this fight against Barrios, Pacquiao held two exhibition fights against South Korean DK Yoo in 2022 and kickboxer Rukiya Anpo in 2024.
Pacquiao said that despite going four years without fighting competitively, he maintained a strict training regimen for this contest.
“Sometimes my trainers ask me to stop,” Pacquiao acknowledged. “They don’t want me to overtrain. They want me to give my body time to rest, give me time to recover.”
Pacquiao received a lot of criticism for being a direct contender for a world title after such a long break and being given a shot at the world championship without any recent bouts.
“All I can say is, like, I’m different than fighters to prepare for a fight. When I prepare for a fight like this, I’m seriously 100% disciplined and I work hard,” Pacquiao noted.
Barrios, known as “El Azteca,” is not only 16 years younger than Pacquiao, he also has a seven-inch height advantage. The Mexican-American won his title by defeating Ugas by unanimous decision in 2023 after knocking him down twice. He defended his crown twice in 2024 by beating Fabian Maidana and recently had a draw with Abel Ramos on the same bill as the Jake Paul-Mike Tyson showdown in November.
WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios poses on the scale at a ceremonial weigh in on Friday in Las Vegas.
(John Locher / Associated Press)
“I’ve been working with the mindset that I’m facing a legend. At the end of the day, it’s another man trying to take my title. I respect what he’s done in the sport and the person he is, but come fight night, that respect won’t be there,” Barrios said at his camp in Las Vegas. “When they proposed the fight to me, I didn’t know whether to take it as disrespect or respect because he wanted me. But it doesn’t matter, I’m the champion for a reason and I’m going to show why I have the WBC belt.”
Also on the bill, Pacquiao’s eldest son, Emmanuel, 24, will be making his professional debut, despite having limited amateur experience. According to Pacquiao, Emmanuel’s arrival in professional boxing by sharing an evening with him is a “blessing from God.”
“My advice to him is to work hard, look at my training, the way I prepare, the way I punish myself, the way I focus on training,” Pacquiao said.
The Las Vegas card will also feature WBC super welterweight world champion Sebastian “The Towering Inferno” Fundora taking on Australian Tim Tszyu in a rematch of the 2024 bout won by Fundora. Former world champion Isaac Cruz will now square off against Omar Salcido Gamez in a 12-round super lightweight bout after Angel Fierro withdrew from the event on Friday due to health concerns. Also, former two-division world champion Brandon Figueroa will battle Joet Gonzalez in a 10-round featherweight showdown.
Four years after his last fight ended in a disappointing loss, the legendary Manny Pacquiao is back in the ring and challenging for another world title.
The 46-year-old will face WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios on Saturday – but questions remain as to whether Pacquiao, widely regarded as one of the best boxers in history, can mount a serious challenge at such an advanced age.
Here’s what you need to know about the living legend’s boxing comeback against Barrios:
Why is Pacquiao making a comeback?
Pacquiao, a Hall of Famer boxer, shrugged off concerns about his comeback and says he understands the risks of reentering the ring against a competitor like Barrios: A man 16 years his junior, 16cm (6.3in) taller, and the two-time reigning WBC welterweight title holder at the peak of his powers.
“I’m coming back because boxing is my passion,” Pacquiao said in an interview with ESPN. “It’s all I think about, and I really like to make history.”
The Filipino icon says this is not a one-off fight but rather a first step in an extended return to boxing. Pacquiao claims his motivation to fight again is primarily about preserving his competitive legacy rather than money.
“I’m worried for my reputation,” Pacquiao said in an interview with the BBC. “But I’m making sure that I’m not a kind of fighter like other fighters that come back but they are not showing what they did before.”
What’s at stake for Pacquiao
A loss for Pacquiao against Barrios would likely be the final nail in the coffin of a superlative boxing career.
A win would be a 13th world championship for the charismatic fighter and add to his already stellar boxing resume.
Broader medical concerns over middle-aged boxers reentering the ring, especially after a long lay-off, have been raised, although medical checks were made on the fighters in the lead-up to the bout.
What is the date and start time for Pacquiao vs Barrios?
The fight is scheduled for Saturday, July 19.
Pacquiao and Barrios are expected to undertake their ring walks at 8pm (03:00 GMT on Sunday). The fight will begin shortly thereafter.
The main undercard begins at 5pm (00:00 GMT on Sunday).
Where is the fight being held?
Pacquiao vs Barrios will take place at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
The venue can host more than 16,000 spectators, making it one of the largest boxing venues in the United States.
Who is the favourite?
The American is the clear bookmakers’ favourite to retain his world championship title.
“In so many of my fights I was the underdog, and I surprised them… Manny always brings surprises,” Pacquiao said.
Actress Sydney Sweeney and 2025 Inductee Manny Pacquiao, right, pose for a photo during the Boxing Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at the International Boxing Hall of Fame on June 8, 2025 in Canastota, New York [Ed Mulholland/Getty Images via AFP]
Career record: Pacquiao
The Filipino living legend has won 12 major world championships.
He is the only competitor to win world titles in eight different weight divisions, more than any other boxer in history.
His longevity in the sport is equally legendary as the only fighter to capture or retain world titles across four different decades: The 1990s, 2000s, 2010s and 2020s.
In June, Pacquiao was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame, becoming the third Filipino boxer to receive the honour.
What is Pacquiao’s fight record?
Pacquiao’s last professional fight was a decision loss against Cuban boxer Yordenis Ugas in 2021 for the WBA world welterweight championship.
His last professional win was six years ago against Keith Thurman, when he became the oldest welterweight champion in history.
Fights: 72
Wins: 62
Wins by KO: 39
Losses: 8
Draws: 2
What is Barrios’ fight record?
The 30-year-old American will be defending the WBC title for the second time.
His last fight was a split draw decision against Abel Ramos on November 15.
Fights: 32
Wins: 29
Wins by KO: 18
Losses: 2
Draws: 1
Mario Barrios, right, unleashes a punch against Abel Ramos during their WBC world welterweight championship fight at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, USA, on November 15, 2024 [Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile via Getty Images)
What has Pacquiao said about the fight?
Pacquiao, who turns 47 in December, feels rejuvenated after four years away from the ring and said he was returning for another opportunity to make history.
“I’m enjoying training camp as much as I did when I was 26 or 29 years old. The motivation to train hard and the discipline are the same,” Pacquiao said at Wednesday’s news conference.
“I mean, it’s because I’ve been away from boxing why I’m still interested and passionate about fighting.
“I cannot imagine that I am still fighting here in the Grand Arena after 24 years. It’s a blessing, a favour from God, and I’m so thankful to be here, still fighting and putting on a good show for the fans,” he said.
Manny Pacquiao trains at Wild Card Boxing Club on June 25, 2025 in Los Angeles, California, US [Melina Pizano/Getty Images via AFP]
What has Barrios said about the fight?
“Manny has been doing this his whole life and understands what it takes to go in there,” Barrios said. “And he’s trying to be great. He’s trying to do something, fighting for a title at his age – and as a fighter, I have nothing but respect for that.
“You know, Manny is a very likeable person. I can’t think of anything bad to say about him other than, you know, he’s facing me for my title.
“At the end of the day, he’s just another man in there. He’s another opponent trying to take my title, regardless of everything he’s accomplished and given to the sport,” Barrios added on Wednesday.
What is the fight prize money?
The prize money has not been disclosed.
It has been reported that Pacquiao will make up to $5m for this bout – in line with similar payments in his last two fights – with Barrios earning up to $1m.
Who is on the undercard?
Manny Pacquiao vs Mario Barrios: WBC welterweight title
Sebastian Fundora vs Tim Tszyu: WBC super welterweight championship
Isaac Cruz vs Angel Fierro: Super lightweight
Brandon Figueroa vs Joet Gonzalez: Featherweight
Gary Russell Jr vs Hugo Castaneda: Super featherweight
Mauricio Sulaiman smiled as he recalled the call during which a boxing legend asked him to challenge current welterweight champion Mario Barrios.
The president of the World Boxing Council (WBC) did not think about it for a moment and immediately got to work to fulfill the request of the legendary Manny Pacquiao.
One of the most iconic and respected figures in boxing history is back.
“It was a positive call, I told him I wanted to challenge the champion one more time and that I can still fight. He was happy to hear that,” Pacquiao told L.A. Times en Español.
Manny Pacquiao speaks about his boxing comeback at a news conference in Los Angeles on June 3.
(Greg Beacham / Associated Press)
Sulaiman fulfilled “PacMan’s” wish and his bout against “Aztec Warrior” Barrios will be on July 19 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
“He called me and said, ‘Help me fulfill my dream of retiring with the WBC, which was where I started at flyweight,’” Sulaiman said. “Manny’s relationship with the WBC is decades old, we’ve been in very good times and we’ve been in difficult times and now that he needs support, we are here for him.”
Born into poverty in the Philippines, Pacquiao became the only boxer to win world titles in eight different divisions, from flyweight to super welterweight. He defeated Oscar De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton, Miguel Cotto, Juan Manuel Marquez, Erik Morales and Marco Antonio Barrera.
His explosive style, speed and charisma made him a global idol, especially in Asia and Latin America. In addition to being world champion in multiple bodies (WBC, WBA, WBO, WBO, IBF), he was recognized as “Boxer of the Decade” by the Boxing Writers Assn. in 2010 and also developed a political career, becoming a senator in his country, which cemented his status as a national hero in the Philippines.
During his career, Pacquiao has suffered eight losses and two draws, but his impressive 62 victories — 39 of them by knockout — earned him a place in the Boxing Hall of Fame. He is being inducted in Canastota, N.Y., on June 8.
The former champion has been welcomed by the boxing world with open arms, but with caution.
Pacquiao claims his hand movements are just as quick as in his prime, but at 46, many doubt he is the same as before. In August 2021, Pacquiao lost a unanimous decision to Cuba’s Yordenis Ugás in what was then his last fight before retirement.
During the fight against Ugás, Pacquiao looked slow, unresponsive and in what seemed to be the twilight of his career. He said several issues caused his problems during the fight, among them, his political career, a lawsuit against him by his former promoter Paradigm Sports Management and muscle ailments that were further inflamed by a pre-fight massage.
Pacquiao did say whether he will be around to face more of boxing’s stars after his bout with Barrios.
“I’m still here, one at a time,” Pacquiao said. “This is me, if there are changes in my fighting style, I have to listen to my body, my heart and if my mind is also there, then I will know if I’m done.”
Manny Pacquiao wears the champion’s belt after defeating Brandon Rios during their WBO international welterweight title fight on Nov. 24, 2013, in Macau.
(Vincent Yu / Associated Press)
Since the announcement of his return, many have shown concern for what might happen to him in the ring against a younger and physically fit Barrios.
“I appreciate that they are concerned, however, the only people I worry about is my family,” Pacquiao said. “How I move, how I train, what kind of condition I’m in, they support me because they can still see the old Manny Pacquiao.”
During his four-year absence from boxing, he was dedicated to his family and his country as a politician, but he said he remained active and in good physical condition, so he feels his return to the ring will not be difficult.
“At my home in the Philippines, I have my own training facility, with a gym, two basketball courts, everything — pickleball, badminton, table tennis,” Pacquiao said. “Plus, I have a yard in the back of my house that’s a kilometer long where I run.”
Sixteen years separate Pacquiao and Barrios.
Pacquiao made his professional debut in January 1995, Barrios was born just four months later. That bout will pit experience versus youth.
Barrios may have more elements in his favor, such as his height, as he stands 6-feet tall while Pacquiao is 5-foot-5. Barrios’ reach is 71 inches, while Pacquiao’s reach is 67 inches.
“I’m younger, I have youth on my side, he has the experience, but I have to go out there and use all that advantage, my height, my speed, my timing, if I do that I can come out on top.”
Although the confirmation of the fight came as a surprise to many, Barrios was mentally prepared for the possibility. He knew that the return of a legend like Pacquiao was not an isolated rumor, but a latent option.
“At first, I really couldn’t believe it, but I had been told it could happen anytime in 2025,” recounted the San Antonio, Texas native, who has a record of 29 wins, two losses and one draw. “I thought the best thing to do was to be ready, in March I was told it could happen during the summer, then I felt it would definitely happen. He’s a legend, he’s achieved so much, but at the end of the day, he’s a fighter who wants to take my title.”
Yordenis Ugas punches Manny Pacquiao during a welterweight championship boxing match on Aug. 21, 2021, in Las Vegas.
(John Locher / Associated Press)
Pacquiao could have chosen a more accessible opponent for his comeback, someone who would allow him to regain his rhythm and confidence. But he chose Barrios, a champion in his prime.
“I don’t know if it’s an insult or complement,” Barrios reflected. “The type of fight he brings to the ring is a lot of action, I have to be smart, I shouldn’t let him succeed.”
While he respects Pacquiao’s legacy, Barrios is determined to impose his own stamp on a historic evening.
He is known for the way he arrives in the ring, accompanied by traditional Aztec dancers, as well as his colorful attire that represents his indigenous roots.
Barrios hopes to continue with his traditional entrance, but he said the occasion calls for something special.
“It’s going to be a very similar entry, always bringing the … ancestral strength,” Barrios said. “… I’m going to have all that, but we’re going to do something even bigger.”
