Manny Pacquiao: 46-year-old intends to make extended boxing comeback

Manny Pacquiao plans to make his boxing comeback last more than one fight as he prepares for his first professional contest in almost four years.

The 46-year-old will challenge Mario Barrios on Saturday for his WBC world welterweight title in Las Vegas.

It will be his first professional fight since August 2021, shortly after which he retired.

Confirming to BBC Sport that he intends to make an extended return to the sport, he said: “I’m sure my coaching staff like Freddie [Roach], Buboy [Fernandez] and Justin [Fortune] will tell me frankly if I don’t have that fire any more.

“But right now they’re very happy with my passion. They’re very happy with my training. They’re very happy with my speed and power.

“The fire in my eyes, in my heart, is still there.”

American Barrios, aged 30, is 16 years younger than Pacquiao, and has a record of 29 wins, one draw and two losses in his 32 professional fights.