
Manny Pacquiao Makes Stunning Comeback: Set to Battle Mario Barrios for WBC Title!
2025-05-09
Author: Wei
In a jaw-dropping turn of events, boxing legend Manny Pacquiao is poised to end his four-year hiatus from the ring and compete for the prestigious WBC welterweight championship against Mario Barrios! This highly anticipated matchup is officially scheduled for July 19 in the vibrant city of Las Vegas.
According to recent reports from ESPN, the fight will be available for streaming through PBC on Prime Video pay-per-view. Just a month before his return to professional boxing, Pacquiao will be celebrated with his induction into the International Boxing Hall of Fame on June 8, marking a remarkable chapter in his storied career.
At 46 years old, the eight-division champion has received the green light from the Nevada State Athletic Commission to compete, taking advantage of a special WBC rule that allows former champions to request title fights upon returning from retirement. It's a bold move for a fighter who last stepped into the ring for an official match on August 21, 2021, where he faced Yordenis Ugas but lost by unanimous decision.
Pacquiao’s illustrious boxing career had a bittersweet conclusion when he was stripped of the WBA (Super) welterweight title due to inactivity. His last victory came in 2019 against the formidable Keith Thurman; a stunning win by knockout over Lucas Matthysse in 2018 was his last finish.
While Pacquiao's official bouts had paused, he did engage in an exhibition fight last year against kickboxer Rukiya Anpo, showcasing that the spirit of the fighter still burns strong.
Pacquiao announced his retirement in September 2021 after revealing his bid to run for president of the Philippines. Though he came up short in his campaign, finishing third in the election, his dedication to serving the people continues as he aims to reclaim a Senate seat in the upcoming elections on May 12.
Get ready for an exhilarating showdown as Pacquiao takes this daring step to reclaim glory in the boxing world! Will he snatch the WBC title and solidify his legacy? Fans are eagerly anticipating the return of the 'Pacman'!