Opponent, Date & Info – Report
TOKYO, JAPAN – JULY 27: Manny Pacquiao arrives at Super RIZIN.3 Weigh-In media event on July 27, … More
Manny Pacquiao is reportedly coming back.
According to a report from ESPN’s Andreas Hale, the all-time great isn’t just coming back for a meaningless exhibition—Pac-Man is coming back and walking right into a world-title fight.
Pacquiao, 46, will reportedly challenge the 29-year-old Barrios for his 147-pound crown.
Philippine boxing legend Manny Pacquiao warms up for a training session at a gym in central Tokyo on … More
The fight is scheduled for July 19 in Las Vegas at the MGM Grand. Pacquiao-Barrios will main event a card that will also feature a much-anticipated rematch between WBC and WBO super welterweight champion Sebastian Fundora and Tim Tszyu.
Tszyu lost his next fight after the loss to Fundora. He was savagely stopped by Bakhram Murtazaliev in October 2024. Tszyu rebounded with an impressive fourth-round TKO win over Joseph Spencer in April to set up his rematch.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MARCH 30: WBO junior middleweight champion Tim Tszyu (L) connects with a punch … More
The card will be a Premier Boxing Champions Prime Video pay-per-view event.
Pacquiao hasn’t fought professionally since August 2021, when he lost a unanimous decision to Yordenis Ugas in a battle for the WBA title. The Filipino icon did participate in an exhibition against Rukiya Anpo in July 2024, though his performance did not draw rave reviews.
Fundora upset Tszyu in 2024 to capture the titles and has since successfully defended the unified titles once, against Chordale Booker in March. Fundora won that fight via fourth-round TKO.
There have been rumors of this bout since the middle of 2024, but Pacquiao had to gain clearance from the Nevada State Athletic Commission. He got that this month and is now eligible to challenge for the WBC title as part of the governing body’s rules that allow former champions to fight for their iconic belt if they return to the sport.
Pacquiao is scheduled to be inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in June, which could serve as one of the biggest launchpads for his promotion of the upcoming title fight.
How much of a heel could Barrios make himself if he stormed the HOF ceremony to taunt Pacquiao? He’d be hated, but it would definitely ignite some hype around the fight.
Pacquiao initially retired to concentrate on politics in his country, where he is still running for a spot as a senator. However, he is at least putting a few things on hold while he trains and attempts a championship return to the sport. The upcoming election is believed to be the reason Pacquiao hasn’t formally announced the bout, though it appears all parties have agreed to terms.
ARLINGTON, TEXAS – NOVEMBER 15: (L-R) Adel Ramos and Mario Barrios fight during LIVE On Netflix: … More
Barrios is 29-2-1 with 18 KOs. He last fought in November on the undercard of Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson. Barrios battled Abel Ramos to a split draw. There is something of a line between Barrios, who won the interim WBC title when he beat Ugas in September 2023. Barrios was elevated to full champion when Terence Crawford vacated the title to move up to 154 pounds.
Barrios’ two losses came to Gervonta Davis and Keith Thurman. Expect him to be a massive favorite over Pacquiao.
Be on the lookout for more details as they become available over the next few weeks.