BOXING legend Manny Pacquiao is stepping back into the ring, but the burning question isn’t just about his return as a headliner — it’s whether he can rekindle the dominance that cemented his Hall of Fame legacy.
At 46, Pacquiao is set to challenge Mario Barrios for the WBC welterweight belt this Saturday night (Sunday, July 20, 2025, PH time), marking his first fight since a unanimous-decision loss to Yordenis Ugás nearly four years ago. His last victory dates back to 2019, a split-decision win over Keith Thurman.
“It’s been a while, but I’m still active and exercising,” Pacquiao stated, exuding confidence. “I’m going to prove I’m in great condition. I’ve been enjoying training camp like I did when I was 26. The discipline and passion are still there.”
San Antonio’s Barrios, 30, enters as a -275 favorite at BetMGM Sportsbook, aiming to spoil Pacquiao’s comeback. Barrios is looking to rebound from a split-decision draw against Abel Ramos in November, which brought his record to 29-2-1 (18 KOs).
“Manny is one of a kind. He’s not an easy style to copy,” acknowledged Barrios, who have trained against many southpaws and feels comfortable. “It feels amazing to be in this position. It’s something I’ve always dreamed of. Now, it’s my job to show why I’m going to continue to be the champion.”
Unlike many title fights, the build-up to this bout has been notably respectful, with both fighters even sharing a laugh during their face-off pose at a news conference on Wednesday. Barrios, however, quickly clarified that mutual admiration won’t translate into less intensity in the ring.
Pacquiao’s formidable resume includes 12 world championships across eight divisions and a 62-8-2 record with 39 KOs. Despite his age and a seven-inch height disadvantage against the six-foot Barrios, Pacquiao remains focused.
“I’ve been a challenger many times and it’s always the same feeling. I’m excited to take the belt,” he said. “He’s a good fighter, but our job is to entertain the fans. We’re going to give them a real fight.”
In the co-main event, WBC super welterweight champion Sebastian Fundora (21-1-1, 14 KOs) will face Tim Tszyu (25-2, 18 KOs) in a highly
anticipated rematch.
Fundora secured a split-decision victory over Tszyu in their last encounter on March 30, 2024. The WBO stripped Fundora of his belt for agreeing to this rematch instead of facing mandatory challenger Xander Zayas.
“It doesn’t matter what happened in the first fight,” Fundora insisted. “Tune in Saturday; it’s going to be another great war.” / FROM THE WIRES