Manny Pacquiao, the legendary Filipino boxer, has made a remarkable announcement: he is making a comeback to professional boxing at the age of 46. After nearly four years since his last bout, Pacquiao confirmed that he will take on WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios on July 19 in Las Vegas.
In a statement shared on social media, he declared, "I'm back," signaling his intent to make history once again. Pacquiao previously set a record for being the oldest welterweight champion when he defeated Keith Thurman in 2019 to claim the WBA (Super) world title at 40 years old.
Recently, the WBC reinstated Pacquiao into their rankings, placing him at number five, as discussions of his return intensified. WBC president Mauricio Suliman defended this controversial reinstatement, asserting that Pacquiao had passed all medical evaluations and had been licensed by Nevada to fight.
The boxing legend's last match took place in August 2021, where he lost on points to Yordenis Ugas. Throughout his illustrious career, he has captured four welterweight championships and achieved a stellar record of 62 fights, with eight losses and two draws.
Following his retirement from boxing, Pacquiao ventured into politics in the Philippines. However, he faced disappointment last week when his bid for a senate seat ended unsuccessfully. As fans await his return to the ring, Pacquiao's chapter in boxing continues to unfold, capturing the attention of sports enthusiasts worldwide.
