Manny Pacquiao: Boxing legend nears professional comeback for WBC welterweight title fight with Mario Barrios
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ByEurosport
Updated 10/06/2024 at 10:04 GMT
Eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao last fought in 2021 when he lost to Yordenis Ugas. Ugas lost to Mario Barrios last year, and the WBC interim champion now appears to be on course to meet the Filipino boxing legend in a proposed comeback, which will see Pacquiao return to professional boxing at the age of 45. The pair would contest the full WBC welterweight strap.
Manny Pacquiao
Image credit: Getty Images
Manny Pacquiao is considering a return to boxing for a world title fight against Mario Barrios.
Barrios won the WBC interim welterweight title in September last year with a decision win against Yordenis Ugas.
With Terence Crawford designated as champion in recess, he is expected to give up the belt as he moves up to light middleweight after becoming undisputed in his clash with Errol Spence Jr.
Ugas was Pacquiao’s last professional opponent in the ring in 2021, with the Cuban winning a surprise victory to upset what was expected to usher in the Filipino’s retirement as he focused on politics as senator in his home country.
However, a failed presidential bid saw him open up to the idea of a return beyond exhibitions.
ESPN reports that he is aiming to become champion one last time before running for re-election as a senator.
"I made history at 40 beating Keith Thurman and I feel at 45, I have a lot left in the game as I haven't taken a lot of punishment over the last few years," Pacquiao told the website. "I want to go out making history."
Pacquiao has won belts at eight divisions - a record - and his 2015 PPV clash with Floyd Mayweather is the highest-grossing fight ever, with Mayweather victorious.
"I'm very excited at the possibility of this fight being made," Barrios said.
"Manny Pacquiao is a future Hall of Famer, a legend and someone I looked up to growing up. To share the ring with him would be an honour and a dream come true."
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